FEMA cancels in-person training at National Fire Academy

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has announced the immediate suspension of all in-person training at the National Fire Academy (NFA) until further notice.

A notice sent to instructors, students, and fire departments stated that FEMA is evaluating its programs and spending to align with administration priorities.

The notice said: “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.”

A follow-up notice clarified that only virtual courses without an instructor and no associated funding will proceed. Instructors were advised to cancel all future travel plans.

Impact on firefighter training

The suspension affects firefighters, emergency medical personnel, and other first responders who travel to the NFA’s Maryland campus for federally funded training programs.

Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell, former U.S. fire administrator, said: “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.”

She added: “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.”

Concerns over training gaps

The NFA, established under the 1974 Fire Prevention and Control Act, provides free training for firefighters across the country. The sudden suspension has raised concerns about the impact on emergency response preparedness.

Marc Bashoor, a former Maryland fire chief and West Virginia emergency services director, said: “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.”

Bashoor said training cancellations have caused disruptions for students who had already made travel arrangements.

He added: “People had made their plane and travel reservations. And all of a sudden, they get an email that ‘Sorry, it’s been canceled.’ It’s really upsetting.”

Future of NFA training remains uncertain

FEMA has not provided a timeline for when the training programs might resume. The agency has not responded to requests for further comment on the review process.

Bashoor expressed concerns about how this decision might impact future emergency responses: “If we want to continue to have one of the premier fire services in the world, we need to have the National Fire Academy.”

FEMA suspends National Fire Academy training: Summary

FEMA has announced the immediate suspension of in-person training at the National Fire Academy while it conducts a review of agency programs and spending. Training will continue virtually only in cases where no instructor or funding is required.

The decision affects firefighters, EMS providers, and first responders nationwide who rely on NFA’s federally funded training programs. Experts have raised concerns about potential gaps in firefighter education and emergency preparedness.

The NFA was founded in 1973 as part of a national strategy to improve fire safety. Critics of the suspension argue that it could hinder firefighter development and arson investigation training.

FEMA has not provided a timeline for when in-person courses will resume.