MU Fire and Rescue Training Institute celebrates excellence

University of Missouri Extension’s Fire and Rescue Training Institute recently hosted the 22nd Annual Missouri Emergency Services Instructor Conference at the Lake of the Ozarks.

More than 150 instructors and supervisory personnel gathered for three days of intensive professional development designed specifically for those who train Missouri’s emergency responders. Attendees represented 49 counties across the state, plus two out-of-state guests.

This conference remains the premier event for emergency services instructors and public fire educators, equipping them with the latest techniques, strategies and tools to deliver world-class training back in their home departments, said Tracy Gray, MU FRTI educational program coordinator.

“This conference gets better every year,” one attendee shared. “The networking alone is worth the trip but walking away with new ideas and recognition from peers—that’s priceless.”

2025 Instructor Excellence Awards

Instructor of the Year: Lynn Morgan, Republic, Mo. “Lynn’s passion, preparation, and impact on students earned him this well-deserved honor,” Gray said.

MU FRTI presented 26 Perfect 4.0 Awards to instructors who achieved flawless evaluations in their class deliveries. “That’s 26 classes where every single student rated the instruction a perfect score,” Gray said.

The 23rd annual conference will be Nov. 6-8, 2026.

University of Missouri Extension’s Fire and Rescue Training Institute provides comprehensive education and skills training for Missouri’s fire and emergency service responders. Using an extensive system of instructional outreach, MU FRTI helps fire departments, agencies and organizations meet complex public protection challenges and training issues. This outreach takes training programs directly into communities throughout the state, providing training that is otherwise unavailable.