So I'm actively looking to get enrolled into some FEMA CERT style classes for the sake of pumping up the resume and doing something useful with my life, but the FEMA website is (extremely predictably) dyed in the wool clunky government stuff. I see they have IS (Independent Study) classes as introductions to CERT, but they also have classes under "ICS (Incident Command System). There is also NIMS (National Incident Management System) and EMI (Emergency Management Institute) content.
Naturally they don't seem to have any obvious place that explains the logical hierarchy of these terms and organizations and how they all fit together. Nor do they mention which would make sense as a civilian just looking to plop in some hours to help out if the poop hits the fan. I'm sure I could find the answer if I kept digging for an hour, but it's probably easier to just shoot it at you guys and see if an officer or EMT or something can just spill it out in simple terms (both for my sake and other's). Just looking to get on the right track here.
Also I don't remember who mentioned their wife works as a CERT instructor but it's a good idea to get involved without dropping everything to get a first responder career, so thanks mystery dude.