Fire Service Officials on Mission to Save National Fire Academy

The nation’s fire and EMS personnel are responding together to battle drastic cuts from the White House.

The most recent—the closure of the storied National Fire Academy—has leaders from major fire service organizations urging responders around the country to reach out to their Congressional representatives.

People who’ve attended courses at the Emmitsburg, MD, campus or online are being asked to participate in a survey conducted by CFSI.

Information gathered will be shared with legislators who could help revive the academy.

On its website, IAFC officials also encourage people to get involved.

“The NFA trains the future leaders of the fire and emergency service. It also provides important instruction on new tactics in hazardous materials' incident response, arson investigation, and other specialized fields,” according to a statement from IAFC officials posted on its website.

In a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, the fire officials wrote: "The United States Fire Administration is the primary representative of the fire and emergency services in the federal government and plays a key role in providing research, training, and leadership to advance fire prevention, homeland security, and emergency preparedness nationwide. USFA’s efforts in fire data collection and analysis, public education, and personnel development directly contribute to reducing fire-related deaths and injuries. Weakening USFA’s ability to operate would negatively impact efforts to build a fire-resilient nation, especially at a time when fires have shown they are a continued threat across the country….”

The representatives from 31 organizations also sent correspondences to other department secretaries explaining the valuable contributions of subject-matter experts dedicated to keeping responders prepared and safe.

In a letter to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., leaders explained the important work going on at various agencies.

“As the Administration considers efforts to ensure responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars and achieve results for U.S. citizens, the undersigned fire and emergency services organizations write today to express our strong support for the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program (FFFIPP) and the National Firefighter Registry (NFR) for Cancer, among other critical HHS initiatives. These vital programs serve as essential resources for protecting the health and safety of the men and women who serve as firefighters and emergency medical personnel across the United States,” the letter read.

The group also urged support for programs in the Department of Transportation (DOT).

“The NHTSA Office of EMS is instrumental in coordinating national efforts to improve emergency medical services, ensuring that communities across the country have access to high-quality, lifesaving care. The Office provides crucial guidance, technical assistance, and data collection to help EMS systems enhance their response capabilities and integrate effectively with broader public safety and healthcare networks. This coordination is essential for ensuring that first responders can deliver timely and effective emergency medical care during routine incidents as well as large-scale disasters,” according to a letter to Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.

Officials also pointed out: “These essential programs and personnel play a vital role in supporting public safety, national security, emergency response, disaster preparedness, and hazardous materials management. We would welcome the opportunity to work with you to support the preservation of these programs in a fiscally appropriate manner, as they directly support the safety and security of our nation.”