National Fire Academy Classes Cancelled Amid Review of Programs

Classes hosted at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, MD, were cancelled, effective immediately, according to a notice sent out Friday.

The notice, sent by FEMA, indicated that "FEMA is currently in the process of evaluating agency programs and spending to ensure alignment with Administration priorities."

The email from FEMA stated: “For those courses that can continue virtually, we will do so, and you will receive more information soon. For those that are unable to proceed in a virtual format we will reevaluate rescheduling of courses once the review is complete.”

Instructors received futher communications, which indicated that the on-campus and off-site classes would were cancelled, and they were told, "Please cancel all future travel until further notice." 

The majority of on-campus training sessions wrap up on Fridays, with most incoming students arriving at the campus on Sundays.

In a message posted by the Maine Fire Service Institute (MFSI), one class they were offering via the National Fire Academy will continue while a second session has been scrapped.

"MFSI is working directly with the instructor to ensure that this invaluable program is delivered. The instructor already arrived to Maine when communication from NFA cancelling funding to in-person trainings was sent out," their statement about the "Exercising Leadership through Difficult Conversations" class read.

The Command & Control of Wildland Urban Interface Fire Operations for the Structural Chief Officer was cancelled.

Last month, the National Fire Academy announced the cancellation of the annual NFA Women's Weekend event schedule for May, citing an order from DHS.