Preparing Fire Officers to Lead at Every Rank
Strong leadership is essential to building effective fire departments, protecting personnel, and serving communities. Whether you’re preparing for your first supervisory role, advancing into chief-level leadership, or guiding an entire department, continued professional development is critical to success.
The International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) supports current and aspiring fire service leaders through leadership development programs, professional education, training opportunities, and peer networking designed to strengthen decision-making, organizational management, and leadership effectiveness.
Explore IAFC programs, courses, and resources to develop your leadership skills, advance your career, and prepare for the challenges of leading today’s fire and emergency services.
Ready to get involved?
There are many ways to get involved with other fire officers at IAFC. Join a section to find training, resources, and peers who share your role or type of department.
- Company Officers Section (COS): Leadership training, knowledge resources, and networking for new, experienced, and aspiring company officers.
- Executive Fire Officers Section (EFOS): Succession planning and executive officer education for chief officers and aspiring chiefs.
- Volunteer & Combination Officers Section (VCOS): Information, education, and services for chief officers who manage volunteer and combination departments.
- Metro Chiefs Section: A section for chiefs of large metropolitan departments.
- IAFC committees and councils: Serve on a committee or council to shape IAFC’s work. Full IAFC membership is required.
Officer Leadership Resources
Start with these guides for new chiefs and leaders making the case for their departments.
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Executive Fire Officer Program (EFOP)
Explore the Executive Fire Officer Program (EFOP) to advance fire service leadership through executive education, applied research and professional development.
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FEMA Resource Typing Library Tool
Explore FEMA’s Resource Typing Library Tool to standardize emergency resources, improve mutual aid and strengthen preparedness and response.
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Supplemental Public Sector Training (SPST) Program
IAFC’s SPST Program strengthens hazmat preparedness through responder training, instructor development, unified command and emergency planning.
Officer Leadership Events
Build leadership skills and meet peers at IAFC events.
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Fire-Rescue International 2027
Fire-Rescue International (FRI) is the IAFC’s annual conference bringing together fire and emergency service leaders for professional development, industry innovation, and peer networking.
Common questions about officer leadership development
Quick answers for company officers, chiefs, and anyone planning a path to leadership.
The Officer Development Program (ODP) offers the Leadership Development Certification Series (LDCS), delivered with Columbia Southern University. It has three levels for company officers, chief officers, and executive chief officers, with three courses at each level. Completing all three courses in a level earns certification and three academic credit hours.
You can take courses fully online, on site at IAFC conferences, or through division, state, and regional delivery. An online exam comes before you move up a level. You enroll through Columbia Southern University, and IAFC members save $100 with the code IAFC. Ask Columbia Southern for current tuition.
The Fire Service Executive Development Institute (FSEDI) is for new five-bugle chiefs with a year or less in the job. It also serves aspiring chiefs applying for chief positions or named in a succession plan. Participants must be IAFC members. The program runs 12 to 18 months and includes a week-long residency in the Baltimore-Washington area. Check the FSEDI page for the current application window.
Company officers can start with the three Company Officer courses in the Officer Development Program and then advance to chief officer levels. IAFC Academy has self-paced online courses on leadership topics. The Company Officers Section adds training, knowledge resources, and networking for new, experienced, and aspiring company officers.
Yes. IAFC Academy offers self-paced online courses, including Chief 101, the National Safety Culture Change Initiative, and Bridging the Multigenerational Divide in Your Department. You can also take the Officer Development Program fully online through Columbia Southern University.
Start with the IAFC event calendar. Fire-Rescue International, August 18 to 20, 2027, in Anaheim, CA, includes leadership education. Chief’s Edge, a scenario-based executive event, is held at Fire-Rescue International and regional summits. Members can also ask peers for advice and share ideas in KnowledgeNet.
Fire chiefs usually build their careers over years, moving from firefighter to company officer to chief officer, with training and education along the way. Requirements vary by department and state. IAFC programs such as the Officer Development Program and Reaching for the Gold, a one-day seminar for aspiring chiefs, can help you prepare.
A fire officer leads a crew, a station, or a department. Company officers, such as lieutenants and captains, supervise firefighters on emergency scenes and at the station. Chief officers manage operations, budgets, and staff across a department or division. Officers also train their teams and represent the department in the community.