Fire Instruction & Rescue Education

Fire and rescue personnel have many choices of online and on-campus educational opportunities. Some organizations, such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency, provide online and on-campus courses. Many organizations provide free training.

Online Government Education

• Three federal government agencies and numerous states offer free online education in fire and rescue for active personnel, whether with paid or volunteer fire departments. The U.S. Fire Administration offers distance learning and online courses, as well as printable "coffee break trainings," executive briefs on fire suppression basics through its National Fire Academy. FEMA provides online courses through its Emergency Management Institute in fire and rescue topics. The National Wildland Coordinating Group offers four online courses requiring a local administrator.

On-Campus Government Education

• The National Fire Academy provides short courses in some states and on-campus courses at its Maryland campus. The Emergency Management Institute provides on-campus courses at its Maryland campus and offers scholarships to volunteer fire fighters.

Online Private Education

• Some private organizations, such as Fire Engineering magazine, offer online training opportunities. Fire Engineering offers both free and paid courses for continuing education and department level drill exercises, video simulations, and webcasts. Rescue Exams provides study guides and practice tests for state fire fighter exams.

On-Campus Private Education

• Many U.S. and international universities offer undergraduate and graduate level degrees or a certificate in fire management. Students may apply for federal grants, such as the Pell grant, to cover tuition costs.