Fill out the form on this page to download the What Firefighters Want in 2026 digital report.
Firefighters want to train.
That may seem like an obvious statement, but our 2026 What Firefighters Want survey confirms that respondents are pursuing certifications, attending regional training and seeking opportunities to sharpen their skills.
At the same time, they also point to significant barriers to adequate training, namely time and resources.
A few findings stood out immediately:
- Only 37% of respondents rated the quality of their department’s training as very good or excellent.
- Scheduling conflicts and lack of time were identified as the No. 1 barrier to training, cited by 60% of respondents.
- Emerging technologies remain largely untapped, with nearly 80% reporting that AI-driven training accounts for little or none of their department’s training.
Those numbers tell only part of the story. Throughout this report, you’ll find deeper analysis of what firefighters are training on, where they feel least prepared, who is leading instruction and how departments can better align training with operational readiness.
Fill out the form on this page to download the What Firefighters Want in 2026 digital report.
Discuss it with your crew, and explore the What Firefighters Want resource page for additional analysis.
Thank you to everyone who took the time to share their thoughts through the survey.
