Due to the dynamic change in funding for firefighter training, all courses may be eligible for funding from either contracts or grants. In the absence of either contracts or grants, all courses in this catalog can still be provided, but a fee will be required. Contact your regional training coordinator or MU FRTI for more information regarding course fees.
Training schedule
Training categories
MU FRTI offers courses that fall into several categories. Select a heading to learn more about the categories of training we offer or to see a list of courses in a specific category.
The Mobile Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighter Trainer (MAFT) provides an opportunity for Airport Rescue Fire Fighters (ARFF) to “train as they’ll fight.” Funded by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT), the operation of the mobile training unit is coordinated by the University of Missouri Fire and Rescue Training Institute. Training with the Mobile Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighter Trainer allows ARFF personnel to train with their equipment and standard operating procedures. By training at home, ARFF personnel can train with mutual aid fire departments and learn together the procedures and techniques needed to save lives when an aircraft accident/incident occurs.
These courses have been developed to meet the needs of the private sector. They incorporate industry emergency response plans and operational procedures that are common in many businesses and industries but may be developed and individualized for clients. Courses are conducted on-site at industrial facilities and/or host fire training facilities depending on the specific activities and skills.
This section includes courses targeted for chief officers. Some courses were designed to be continuing education for executive fire officer graduates, whereas other courses help chief officers manage in their organization to meet the dynamic changes facing the fire service.
No other rank of the fire service has as much impact on new firefighters as the company officer. This section provides courses to prepare firefighters in being company officers or for those who are currently company officers provides a continuing education menu of courses to improve their officer skills.
Driver training programs vary by agencies from comprehensive to basic skills. But driver training should be a critical part of any department’s training program. The position of driver, operator is arguably one of the most important positions for emergency service professionals. Arriving safely to the the scene of the emergency is the first step towards managing the incident.
The Emergency Management curriculum offers an extensive array of training opportunities for State and local emergency managers, allied emergency response organizations, public officials, members of volunteer relief organizations, and business and industry professionals in related fields. The training courses provide the skills to build local teams and coalitions that respond to natural and technological disasters. The focus is to build the knowledge and skills needed to develop and implement policies, plans, and procedures to protect life and property through applications of sound emergency management principles in all phases of emergency management.
Courses are made available through a partnership with the Missouri State Emergency Management Agency and the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Emergency Management Institute.
MU FRTI is the single largest provider in Missouri for Emergency Medical Services continuing professional education and is recognized by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Bureau of Emergency Medical Services as an Accredited Training Entity. These programs provide current EMTs and paramedics an opportunity to not only learn specialized topics, but also earn CEUs.
The EMS Education Institute offers new and continuing training to EMS professionals, which includes EMT and paramedic courses. Their mission is to provide an evolving and dynamic education and training program to new and existing EMS and allied healthcare professionals that meets and exceeds the current standard of care. For more information on specific courses, please visit the EMS Education Institute website or contact them directly.
MU FRTI offers hazardous materials and environmental emergency response training to both the public and private sectors. The public-sector emergency responder training program concentrates on offering training necessary for the safe response of fire fighters, law enforcement personnel, and EMS providers to hazardous materials emergencies. Private sector training for business and industry concentrates on OSHA requirements.
MU FRTI offers inspection and investigation training to both the public and private sectors.
MU FRTI offers instructor training to further emergency responders knowledge and enhance their teaching skills. The focus of these courses are on adult learning principles and practices, teaching from prepared lesson plans, developing curriculum, supervising multiple instructors and managing a department training program.
The National Incident Management System (NIMS) is a systematic, proactive approach to guide departments and agencies at all levels of government, nongovernmental organizations, and the private sector to work together seamlessly and manage incidents involving all threats and hazards — regardless of cause, size, location or complexity — in order to reduce loss of life, property and harm to the environment. The NIMS model for incident management is the Incident Command System (ICS). ICS is a standardized on-scene emergency management organization designed to aid in the management of resources during incidents. The ICS model is used by jurisdictions and agencies, both public and private, to organize field-level incident-management operations. ICS is sometimes referred to as the Incident Management System (IMS); the terms are interchangeable.
MU FRTI offers multiple courses that are administered and attended completely online and some that are a blend of online and classroom training. These courses are hosted by University of Missouri Extension and administered directly by MU FRTI. This is one more way MU FRTI provides the training you need at your convenience.
The blended learning courses trade a significant portion of travel and classroom time for the convenience of structured, interactive online learning and remote instructor support. Each blended course schedule is designed to provide effective learning and a positive experience. Some titles require self-paced online studying before coming to class, whereas others meet for a day and then interact online for a set timeframe. All classes are supported by instructors and a MU FRTI staff member, readily available by email and telephone.
Forget 40 hours in a classroom — train on your schedule! Sign up for an online or blended learning course today!
MU FRTI offers multiple courses that address the skills and techniques needed when addressing public fire education.
While the number of fire responses have been dwindling in many departments the need to maintain the necessary skills for suppression is critical. On average, 100 firefighters are killed each year in the line of duty. Courses in this section help identify building construction considerations, improve firefighter safety and provide confidence in interior structure fire evolutions. MU FRTI offers suppression and firefighter safety training for firefighters to further their knowledge and enhance their skills.
The University of Missouri Fire and Rescue Training Institute offers many classes that employ the use of tools and skills that exceed those normally reserved for firefighting and emergency medical services. These disciplines are classified as techincal rescue classes and include structural collapse rescue, trench collapse rescue and many others.
The University of Missouri Fire and Rescue Training Institute provides practical assessment and evaluation resources for clients in the fire service and education, as well as nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and businesses.
Wildfire suppression courses address a range of firefighting tactics needed in order to suppress wildfires. Firefighting efforts in wildland areas require different techniques, equipment, and training from the more familiar structural firefighting. Wildfire suppression also addresses the issues of the wildland-urban interface, where populated areas border with wild land areas.
Some courses listed below are available through an agreement with the Missouri Department of Conservation and meet National Wildfire Coordination Group (NWCG) guidelines and are offered in conjunction with our annual Summer Fire School. Other NWCG topics may be available upon request.