Fire Officer Development: A Key Component Of Our Collective Responsibility
By Keith Padgett, Fire and EMS Academic Program Director, Columbia Southern University
We hear it all the time. “Develop up and coming officers in the fire service.” Then, we struggle to find a consistent way. Many departments create what they can in-house, and some organizations search for other resources because they don’t have the time or money to develop their own. The International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) understands that officer development is essential - and they have built a solution!
The IAFC’s Officer Development Program (ODP) addresses this vital need and helps departments keep up with the requirements of the industry. Through a partnership with Columbia Southern University (CSU), the IAFC has stepped up access to development by providing the ODP program at Fire Rescue International (FRI) and in an online format. They are truly making development accessible to all.
At CSU, we strive to continuously enhance our academic rigor and consistency, so chiefs know what their company officers and chief officers will experience. The necessary outcomes for each workshop are provided in advance and reiterated throughout, so the program is continuously measured and evaluated. The rigor of the program increases as the officer advances to a higher level, building and developing the skills for accelerated performance and success.
Please be on the lookout for future articles detailing the benefits of the IAFC’s ODP Program! To enroll, click here.
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