Occupational Development

Virginia Fire Service Occupational Development Rollout

During the second quarter of 2006, the Virginia Department of Fire Programs was tasked with the development of a progressive professional development plan to assist with the development of the future fire service leaders throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia. It was quickly identifed that the success of the Virginia Fire Service is largely dependent upon the caliber of leadership. Currently, there is no consistent occupational development pathway defined for Virginia’s Fire Service.

While the Virginia Fire Service Occupational Development Consortium recognizes that we have no formal authority, we have identified the need to define a clear path for occupational development within the Virginia Fire Service.  The Virginia Fire Service Occupational Development Consortium through a collaborative effort of career. combination and volunteer fire service leaders has identified recommendation pertaining to training and educational aspects of future fire service leaders, as defined within the International Fire Chiefs Officer Development Handbook.

Throughout the development of an aspiring fire officer’s advancement in the command structure levels, competency training should be achieved prior to advancing to the next higher level. Working closely with the Department of Homeland Security through a collective effort of the National Fire Academy a centralized process is recommended to effectively credential the fire service community. This document was presented to the 280+ higher education institution present during a recent summit at NFA and was accepted as a model for other states to follow. As stated in the document, this by no means is a mandate for training, but rather a means for in individual to plan their future advancement in the fire service. Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) many elect to adopt or select portions of this document to supplement the fire officer's training path.

Click here for a full version of the Virginia Fire Service Occupational Development document

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