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# Fire and Emergency Services Higher Education Initiative

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Learn how the National Fire Academy (NFA) is working through the Fire and Emergency Services Higher Education (FESHE) initiative to standardize training, education, experience and certification activities for the fire service.

##### In this section

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                  - FESHE Initiative                     - Degree Programs
                    - Model Course Outlines
                    - Professional Development Matrix
                  - State Training Assistance
                  - Superintendent

## FESHE's mission is to establish an organization of post-secondary institutions to promote higher education and to enhance the recognition of the fire and emergency services as a profession to reduce loss of life and property from fire and other hazards.

### FESHE program mark

The FESHE program mark represents the idea that firefighters and fire officers, armed with knowledge and a college degree, can reduce the human and economic impact of fires in their communities. This mark is public domain and may be used freely.
 Download the program mark

A national, competency-based professional development system helps to eliminate duplication of efforts and enhances the overall professional development of the fire and emergency services.

## About FESHE

Working with coordinators of 2- and 4-year academic fire and emergency medical services (EMS) management degree programs, the NFA established the FESHE network of emergency services-related education and training providers. FESHE members have made remarkable strides in working towards:
          - Developing the National Professional Development Model and the Emergency Medical Services Professional Development Model.
          - Developing the  National Professional Development Matrix , a practical application for using the professional development models.
          - Creating  model course outlines  for fire-related and EMS management degree programs in partnership with publishers to write textbooks that support them.
          - Establishing a model for an integrated system of higher education, training and experience.
          - Recognizing which  collegiate emergency services degree programs  meet the minimum standards of excellence.
          - Fostering culture change in line-of-duty death prevention through a partnership between the FESHE community and the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation.

## Professional development models

The National Professional Development Model and the Emergency Medical Services Professional Development Model illustrate how the 4 pillars of professional development influence career advancement: Training, Academic Education, Relevant Experience and Continuing Education. The models graphically support the National Professional Development Matrix.

 Download

 Download

### Your fire service career: Where are you going? Will you be ready?

Former NFA Superintendent Dr. Denis Onieal offers insights into what fire and emergency services personnel need to know about professional development and how training, education, experience and certification are linked.

 https://youtu.be/6Q1IhuS4Njo

### Professional development opportunities and resources

              - Executive Fire Officer Program
              - Managing Officer Program
              - National Fire Academy course catalog
              - National Emergency Training Center Library

### More content on the web

              - Center for Domestic Preparedness
              - Center for Public Safety Excellence
              - Emergency Management Institute
              - International Society of Fire Service Instructors

Page last reviewed: Sept. 13, 2022

Be prepared.Be informed.Be safe.

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