FEMA reopens National Fire Academy and training campuses across the United States
Iain Hoey
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In-person FEMA training to resume following review of federal cost policy
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has confirmed that in-person instruction will resume at three of its national training facilities beginning in early June.
According to Industry reports, FEMA’s review concluded that selected courses at the National Fire Academy (NFA), the Center for Domestic Preparedness (CDP), and the National Disaster and Emergency Management University (NDEMU) are necessary for supporting national preparedness.
These programmes had been paused in March 2025 after Executive Order 14222 mandated cost reductions across federal agencies.
The order required that government contracts and travel be justified through new transparency systems to ensure spending aligned with the administration’s Department of Government Efficiency initiative.
National training centres to reopen in Alabama and Maryland
The affected sites include the CDP in Anniston, Alabama, and two campuses located in Emmitsburg, Maryland: the NFA and NDEMU.
FEMA stated that after a full review, it had “determined certain courses provide effective training to enhance national readiness for state, local, tribal and territorial emergency managers, first responders and local leaders.”
These institutions will resume delivery of courses such as incident command for medical services, fire alarm system reviews, and decision-making tools for emergency planning.
The National Fire Academy currently lists vacancies for several of its upcoming sessions starting in June 2025.
Training freeze followed cost-cutting directive from executive order
Training activities were suspended following Executive Order 14222, issued in February 2025 by President Trump. The order required each federal agency to review discretionary spending on contracts, grants, travel and training.
According to the executive order, agencies were directed to justify all payments and contracts via an internal technological system.
Non-essential travel, including to training sites, was temporarily suspended unless specifically approved through written justification procedures.
FEMA subsequently limited programme authorisations, and NFA courses were excluded from travel approvals under the guidance that they did not meet the threshold of “mission-critical” operations.
Fire service advocates and lawmakers opposed the suspension
The International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) reported that it had urged congressional representatives to support the reinstatement of in-person training programmes.
According to the IAFC, the return of NFA sessions beginning 2 June follows pressure from fire service leaders and members of Congress.
During a Senate appropriations hearing in May 2025, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said efforts were underway to restore funding and programme access.
She noted her department’s aim to support firefighter development and national disaster readiness.
FEMA reopens National Fire Academy and training campuses across the United States: Summary
FEMA will restart in-person courses at three national training centres in early June 2025.
These include the National Fire Academy and National Disaster and Emergency Management University in Emmitsburg, Maryland, and the Center for Domestic Preparedness in Anniston, Alabama.
Training was suspended in March 2025 under Executive Order 14222.
The order required federal agencies to reduce costs and justify travel and programme spending.
FEMA and the U.S. Fire Administration conducted a review of emergency training programmes.
The agencies concluded that selected courses remain critical for state and local emergency preparedness.
Applications for upcoming NFA courses are currently open.
The International Association of Fire Chiefs welcomed the return of in-person instruction.
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed that reinstating training access was a departmental priority.
Courses will begin as early as 2 June 2025.