Fire Academy Strengthens Sense of Community

The National Fire Academy has trained first responders from across the United States for decades, including those from the Raleigh Fire Department. The Academy provides in-person training courses and management programs in Emmitsburg, MD. It also offers training in various states and online.

Established in 1974, the Academy offers programs for free. Course topics include fire investigation, hazardous materials, fire prevention, and emergency medical services. Every year, the Academy trains almost 100,000 students through more than 2,200 course offerings.

Lasting Sense of Fire Service Community

Gaster has taken numerous classes during his career, but nothing compares to what he experienced and learned at the NFA. “It has helped me make informed decisions, be patient, and understand what I am supposed to do. I brought back all that I learned in Emmitsburg and have shared it with others, while encouraging them to attend classes, too.”

Hufham praises the opportunity to network with other students from all over the country and even globally. “Networking enables you to work with others in the same field with varying degrees of experience and knowledge. You can learn how a fire department has overcome obstacles and what was and wasn’t successful for them. This can save valuable time and resources since you learn about real-world situations and outcomes from other fire departments,” he said.

At the Academy, there’s a lasting sense of fire service community that’s not replicated anywhere else.

“Nowhere else does it all come together like in Emmitsburg,” Gaster said. “Fire service professionals from various types of departments meet to learn together, share experience and knowledge, and make lasting connections. In every class I took, there’s at least one person with whom I have kept in touch ever since.”