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The NFA is open for growth: Are you ready to seize the opportunity?

It’s time to promote and support NFA classes among your members

Fire Chief Jason Caughey discusses the significance of the recently reopened National Fire Academy (NFA). He encourages fire chiefs to promote and support NFA classes among their members and challenges firefighters to take advantage of the educational and networking opportunities provided by the academy. Highlighting the importance of building relationships with peers from across the country, Chief Caughey emphasizes that attending NFA can have a lasting impact on your career, no matter your rank or type of service.

Read more about the National Fire Academy
There is really no substitute for face-to-face interaction and connections made during NFA programs, events and social outings
Mayor Frank Davis described the NFA as a backbone of the community, noting that a prolonged shutdown “could have a devastating effect for our little town”
Former fire administrators warn that suspending in-person NFA firefighter training weakens disaster preparedness and emergency response
Chief Marc Bashoor told Wolf Blitzer that the training pause will lead to a “degradation in our services”
Representatives debate FEMA’s role and its impact on communities hit by disaster
Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell, Chief Josh Waldo and Chief Marc Bashoor offer potential solutions that would accommodate both training and program reviews

Chief Jason Caughey is a member of the FireRescue1 Editorial Advisory Board, serving as a senior fire advisor. He has been in the fire service for more than 20 years, serving in many capacities, including state trainer, volunteer firefighter, fire captain and volunteer fire chief. Caughey currently serves as fire chief of the Laramie County Fire Authority (LCFA) in Cheyenne, Wyoming. LCFA is a combination fire department with 100 members, 9 full-time members, 12 resident firefighters and 100 volunteer members protecting 25,000 citizens in Laramie County. Through eight strategically placed stations, the district covers and protects 1,150 square miles ranging from suburban development to rural ranch land. Caughey is committed to service of both the community and members of LCFA through progressive leadership that focuses on service, ownership and unity. Caughey has an associate degree and bachelor’s degree in fire science from Columbia Southern University and is currently working on his master’s in public administration. He also achieved his Executive Fire Officer designation from the National Fire Academy along with the Chief Fire Officer designation from the Center for Public Safety Excellence. Connect with Caughey on LinkedIn or via email.