The National Fire Academy’s (NFA) Executive Fire Officer Program (EFOP) provides senior fire officers with a broad perspective on various facets of fire and emergency services administration. As an EFOP student, we were all able to enhance our professional development through a series of four graduate and upper-division-baccalaureate equivalent courses taken over a four-year period. The courses co
nsisted of Executive Development, Strategies for Community Risk Reduction, Executive Analysis Fire Service Operations, and Executive Leadership. Each course was two weeks in length. And after each course completion an accompanying Applied Research Project (ARP) that related to their organization within six months after the completion of each of the four courses was due, dealing with unique problems within their respective communities. The NFA’s EFOP experience was exceptional! Opportunities to network with exemplary fire officers throughout the country, many who continue to remain close today! The Battlefield at Gettysburg, Washington DC excursions and other trips around Emmitsburg Maryland are all reminders to all whom attending this program. We will never forget our exceptional instructors and facilitators, along with extra support and assistance from Angie Krantz and special thanks to Chuck Burkell, the Program Manager for the NFA’s Executive Fire Officer Program who recently retired after 33 years with the NFA.
