By FireRescue1 Staff
FEMA’s announcement on Friday that all in-person training offered by the National Fire Academy is canceled sparked immediate pushback from many members of the fire service community, while others defended the administration’s actions as part of its wider efforts to evaluate agency programs and spending. Naturally, many debates played out on social media, including FireRescue1’s own Facebook post breaking the news.
Fire and EMS providers as well as other first responders from across the country travel to the NFA’s Emmitsburg, Maryland, campus for the federally funded institution’s free training programs. Former U.S. Fire Administrator (October 2021-January 2025) Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell shared background information about the role of the USFA and NFA to put this news in context: “The USFA is under the auspices of FEMA but is not part of the FEMA mission proper. USFA has a separate but parallel mission that focuses on preparing first responders. The USFA specifically is an entity of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s FEMA with the mission to support and strengthen fire and EMS to prepare for, prevent, mitigate and respond to all hazards. The NFA is a principal part of that mission.”
Additionally, Dr. Moore-Merrell shared a list of some of the classes canceled this week and in the coming weeks for hundreds of firefighters: Executive Fire Officer; Hazardous Materials and Weapons of Mass Disaster Incident Command; Fire Investigations: First Responders; Fire and Emergency Services Training Program Management; Fire Inspection Principles; and Emergency Medical Incident Command.
FireRescue1 reached out to its editorial advisory board, contributors and other fire service leaders to share their initial reactions to the news, what this could mean for the fire service, and hopes for next steps. Read these reactions below, including additional notes from Dr. Moore-Merrell.
Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell: Former U.S. fire administrator
“The U.S. Fire Administration’s National Fire Academy (NFA) is the premier professional training institution for America’s structural, industrial and wildland firefighters (both career and volunteers) from local, state, tribal and federal agencies. It is the American fire service war college. [The canceled] courses and many others offered at the NFA are critical for firefighters and their communities. The longer the NFA is shutdown, the greater the gap in professional development for firefighters and paramedics in the U.S. The NFA instructors also train arson investigators for all levels of government, including the ATF. It is a travesty that there is an interruption in these trainings, and no one knows for how long. When did firefighter training for the safety and well-being of the public and communities become misaligned with this administration so that it needs evaluation? The decision to shut down the NFA is a huge overstep given the clear establishment of the academy and its purpose in the 1974 Fire Prevention and Control Act. It is time for our friends in the House and Senate to step up.”
Related information:
- ‘Don’t let USFA go back in the shadows’: Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell’s message to fire service leaders
- USFA: Tracking changes at the agency during a presidential transfer of power
Frank Leeb: Deputy assistant chief (ret.), FDNY; managing director, First Responder Center for Excellence
“Regardless of political affiliation, we can all agree that firefighter training must remain a priority. Simply put, safety is a byproduct of training. The more we train, and the more opportunities we have to train, the better prepared we are to save lives – both our own and those of the communities we serve. … This is not just a fire service issue—it is a public safety issue. We must urge policymakers to recognize the National Fire Academy’s critical role and advocate for its continued funding and support. Our safety – and the safety of the communities we serve – depends on it.”
- Read more: ‘Firefighter safety transcends politics’
Marc Bashoor: Chief (ret.); FireRescue1 senior fire advisor
“I can only hope this is a temporary setback that will be followed with a restart of all the valuable programs offered by the NFA. It is more important than ever that you communicate with your elected officials about the effectiveness of NFA programs. It is critical that we continue to train at all levels locally as we navigate temporary or permanent changes occurring at the NFA. We must not allow these changes to translate into chaos in our training or in our performance of duty. Our mission of service remains the same, whether our training mission is supported by the federal government or not. Furthermore, I have no idea why anybody would think that the NFA programs would not align with the administration’s priorities. This is all about public safety, and the president has indicated he supports public safety ardently, so I’m not sure what the NFA would not be supporting in the public safety mission.”
Additionally, Bashoor shared the following with the Associated Press: “The NFA is a powerhouse for the fire service. It’s not a ‘nice to have.’ It is the one avenue we have to bring people from all over the country to learn from and with each other. If we want to continue to have one of the premier fire services in the world, we need to have the National Fire Academy.”
Jason Caughey: Fire chief, Laramie County (Wyo.) Fire Authority; FireRescue1 senior fire advisor
“The cancellation of classes at the NFA marks a significant disruption in the professional development and training of our nation’s firefighters. The NFA has long served as a cornerstone for advancing fire service leadership, offering high-level educational opportunities to help individuals enhance their skills, knowledge and effectiveness in the field. It is more than just an academic institution; it is a place where future leaders of the fire service are molded, equipped to face increasingly complex and dangerous fire-related challenges.
“While there may be unforeseen circumstances that lead to the temporary suspension of classes, it is essential that the value of such training is not underestimated. The fire service is an ever-evolving field, and those in it need continuous education to stay prepared for new challenges. We must ensure that the NFA remains a robust and resilient institution, capable of adapting to challenges while continuing to provide critical training to the men and women who dedicate their lives to protecting our communities. The fire service deserves no less.
“It is unfortunate that the NFA is currently caught in the middle of politics. I hope that the president will acknowledge its importance and reopen it as soon as possible.”
Rocco Alvaro: Deputy chief, Fairfax County (Va.) Fire & Rescue
“The closure of in-person class offerings at the NFA presents a significant loss to leadership development, networking and collaboration opportunities within the fire service. These programs have long served as a cornerstone for fostering future leaders, allowing individuals to exchange ideas, develop strategic solutions and build relationships that strengthen emergency response capabilities across the fire service landscape. Without these in-person interactions, the ability to cultivate leadership, share best practices, and engage in dynamic discussions that drive progress within the fire service is diminished. Fire departments nationwide rely on these professional development opportunities to prepare their personnel for the evolving challenges of emergency response, resource management and public safety leadership.
“Beyond professional growth, in-person NFA courses reinforce the fire service’s deep-rooted commitment to our communities and our oath to protect and serve. Firefighters and emergency responders do more than respond to calls; they lead, train, educate, develop and innovate to enhance public safety. The ability to collaborate face-to-face with peers from diverse backgrounds fosters a collective approach to addressing the struggles facing today’s fire departments, from recruitment and retention to emerging threats and resource constraints. As we navigate these challenges, we must remain steadfast in our dedication to lifelong learning and professional excellence, ensuring we uphold the trust placed in us by the communities we serve.
“This beacon and shining light within our industry has now been diminished.”
Eric Linnenburger: Deputy chief of operations, Westminster (Colo.) FD
“I’m disappointed by this news, as I was looking forward to returning to campus this month to continue learning alongside my peers from across the nation in the Executive Fire Officer Program –but I’ll get over that. My real concern is for those whose jobs and livelihoods are at risk and the broader impact on our fire service. Federal employees, contractors and private businesses on and off campus now face fear and uncertainty. Anyone who has attended knows the value of the education and relationships built at the NFA – there is nothing frivolous about it. In recent years, the USFA has made great strides in unifying the fire service around a shared mission and priorities, and the NFA is central to that success. This is a disruptive and unnecessary setback, but I have no doubt our U.S. fire service will remain resilient and emerge stronger than before.”
Rommie Duckworth: Captain, Ridgefield (Conn.) FD
“As both a graduate and instructor for the NFA, I am deeply dismayed by the sudden cancellation of all in-person training. These programs are essential – not optional – for developing and maintaining the expertise our nation’s firefighters and fire service leaders need to protect their communities. The NFA provides unparalleled opportunities for firefighters to gain specialized knowledge, exchange vital information, and return to their communities equipped to handle increasingly complex emergencies.
“This disruption affects not only individual firefighters who had committed time, energy and resources to advance their skills, but it also impacts our collective mission of public safety. While we understand fiscal responsibility, cuts that undermine critical training ultimately compromise safety for both first responders and the communities we serve.
“My sincere hope is that the administration resolves this issue and reinstates these invaluable courses, reaffirming their commitment to public safety and the professionals dedicated to protecting lives across the country.”
Keith Padgett: Chief (ret.); fire and EMS academic program director, Columbia Southern University
“Ensuring the responsible use of taxpayers’ dollars is essential, but so is the continued support of the U.S. Fire Administration. The NFA has provided valuable training to thousands of emergency responders in Emmitsburg, and they have taken that knowledge back to their local organizations and made a difference. We must continue to uphold this level of education to protect lives and property across the nation.”
Andrew Beck: Training officer, Mandan City (N.D.) FD
“The NFA provides more than training classes. It’s a place to develop a professional network and learn from other fire service leaders. It is important to allow us to collectively work to solve problems and better serve our individual jurisdictions. A great example of this is the Executive Fire Officer (EFO) Program. This program allows departments of all sizes and resources to provide graduate-level training to future fire service leaders. This level of coordination and training will not be possible or accessible for agencies across the county in the private sector.”
Trevor Frodge: Bureau chief of training, West Chester (Ohio) FD
“The NFA and the USFA work diligently to ensure the safety of first responders and citizens in times of disaster and terror. By shuttering the doors of the NFA, the government’s pursuit to uncover fraud, waste and abuse has in essence stalled the education and training of America’s heroic first responders and impacted local communities. I hope that the analysis by the Department of Government Efficiency on the USFA comes to a swift and decisive end soon.”
This is an evolving story, and we will continue to share new information and insights from fire service leaders.