MU FRTI Advisory Council members in a planning session meeting

University of Missouri Extension approved the University of Missouri Fire and Rescue Training Institute (MU FRTI) to establish an Advisory Council for the Institute. In general, the purpose of the Advisory Council is to provide input and guidance on strategic planning and training initiatives. This will include advice on current and emerging trends and issues in fire, rescue, and emergency response that may impact the design and delivery of training services in Missouri.

The Council is composed of members selected to represent a cross section of the fire service. Members were selected by MU FRTI Administration with approval of the Extension Cabinet. Council members constitute a geographic cross-section of the fire service and other representative members.

An orientation and work session for the Advisory Council members was conducted on August 1-2, 2016, in the MU Extension’s Brady Deaton Conference Room on the MU campus in Columbia, MO. Council members were lead through work exercises that looked at the operations of the Institute and conducted a strategic planning session that led to the development of future priorities.

Deputy Chief Jeff Johnson of Kansas City Fire Department was elected as Chair of the Council. Deputy Chief Les Crews of Monarch Fire Protection District was elected Vice-Chair, and Chief Tim Bean of West Plains Fire Department was elected as the Recording Secretary.

MU FRTI is a unit of MU Extension and is charged with the responsibility of providing comprehensive continuing professional education training to Missouri’s fire service and emergency response personnel. The Institute provides training to approximately 13,000 fire and emergency service first responders each year.