District Qualification System

For the past several years, Perses Consulting has been supporting the DC HSEMA with its transition to the Incident Support Model (ISM) and the development of the District Qualification System (DQS). Support to this effort includes project management, planning, training and exercise services focused on the transition to ISM and the implementation of the DQS. Tasks and activities include the development of foundational documents, such as the DQS Charter, position tasks books (PTBs), job aids, online training courses and tabletop and functional exercises.

The PTBs and job aids were developed, in part, through a series of structured stakeholder meetings, interviews, and working sessions with personnel currently holding the respective positions. These engagements were used to gather detailed operational insights, validate task requirements, and ensure that documented responsibilities accurately reflect real-world roles and operational conditions. PTBs were developed in coordination with applicable national standards to support consistent qualification, evaluation, and credentialing processes. Job aids were intentionally designed as practical, action-oriented tools for use during activations, providing clear guidance, checklists, and reference materials to support effective performance in dynamic and time-constrained operational environments.