Section 301.520  Certification of Non-Mandated ESDAs

a)         Except for those non-mandated ESDAs accredited in accordance with Section 301.510 of this Part, non-mandated ESDAs may apply to an accredited county or multiple county ESDA serving the county in which the non-mandated ESDA is located, for certification, or to IEMA in the event that no accredited county or multiple county ESDA serves the county in which the non-mandated ESDA is located.  Each accredited county or multiple county ESDA, or IEMA in the event that no accredited county or multiple county ESDA serves the county in which the non-mandated ESDA is located, may issue certification to non-mandated ESDAs located within its geographic boundaries, if the non-mandated ESDAs satisfy the following requirements:

1)         Submit a copy of the political subdivision ordinance creating the ESDA affixed with the official seal by the clerk of the political subdivision.

2)         Submit documentation of the ESDA coordinator's Notice of Appointment card.

3)         Submit the following:

A)        For ESDA coordinators appointed prior to January 1, 2002, documentation that the ESDA coordinator has biennially completed 48 hours of professional development training, of which a minimum of 24 hours is IEMA-sponsored professional development training.  However, for the first certification review under this Part, eligible applicants may submit documentation that the ESDA coordinator has, at any time prior to the first certification review under this Part, completed the equivalent of 48 hours of professional development training.  The IEMA-sponsored professional development training program shall, at a minimum, be consistent with and at least as stringent as the FEMA professional development series. Coordinators may receive credit for up to 24 hours of non-IEMA-sponsored professional development training, including, but not limited to, emergency management conferences, independent study courses, college courses or internet courses, but only if such training is consistent with or at least as stringent as training in the IEMA-sponsored professional development training program and is pre-approved for a specific number of credit hours in writing by IEMA prior to the training.

B)        For ESDA coordinators appointed after January 1, 2002, documentation that:

i)          Within six months after the date of appointment, unless this time is extended by IEMA up to one year from the date of appointment, the ESDA coordinator has completed the IEMA New Coordinators Workshop Course and the Principles of Emergency Management Course or courses determined by IEMA to be consistent with or at least as stringent as these courses; and

ii)         After the first year of appointment, the ESDA coordinator has biennially completed 48 hours of professional development training, of which a minimum of 24 hours is IEMA-sponsored professional development training.  The IEMA-sponsored professional development training program shall, at a minimum, be consistent with and at least as stringent as the FEMA professional development series.  Coordinators may receive credit for up to 24 hours of non-IEMA-sponsored professional development training, including, but not limited to, emergency management conferences, independent study courses, college courses or internet courses, but only if such training is consistent with or at least as stringent as training in the IEMA-sponsored professional development training program and is pre-approved for a specific number of credit hours in writing by IEMA prior to the training.

4)         Complete an EOP that meets the requirements of Subpart B of this Part that is reviewed and accepted by the county or multiple county ESDA in accordance with Section 301.320 of this Part.

5)         Conduct an exercise and evaluation that meets the requirements of Subpart D of this Part that is accepted by the county or multiple county ESDA in accordance with Section 301.440 of this Part.

b)         IEMA shall annually review a random sample of at least one certification but no less than 10 percent of certifications issued by accredited county or multiple county ESDAs in each county that has certified a non-mandated ESDA pursuant to subsection (a) for compliance with the requirements stated and to ensure consistency of certification reviews statewide.

c)         The certification term is two years with beginning and ending dates indicated on the certificate issued by the accredited county or multiple county ESDA under signature of the accredited county or multiple county ESDA and IEMA.  The non-mandated ESDA may seek renewal of its certification.