Just a short drive to western Maryland, the fire service has one of its best educational resources, the National Fire Academy (NFA).  Nestled in the hills near Camp David in Emmittsburg, MD, the National Fire Academy provides educational and leadership opportunities not often found on the local level.  Many of the students, who attend a state sponsored NFA weekend, return to attend a one or two week resident course.  This year’s educational offerings were taken directly from their mirror resident course.  Course instructors are NFA faculty and staff who teach in the resident program.

 It was Lt. Steve Doyle’s first trip to the academy.  In his Executive Leadership class, he is networking with other members of the Maryland Fire Service.  He commented on the excellent educational facilities and the “huge opportunities for learning” at the academy.  Asst. Chief Jeff Reiss, commented on learning ways to be a better officer through modeling the positive changes that we need to be a professional emergency services organization. 

Capt. Steve Andrews, having just returned from the two week resident course, Executive Development, took the opportunity to research his first Executive Fire Officer paper and network with fire service colleagues.  Asst. Life Safety Officer Dave Reid was able to make some new contacts and partners who will be invaluable in improving the delivery of our Life Safety Program.

This weekend was a great opportunity to gain valuable knowledge and education all while networking with our fire service colleagues.