The United States Fire Administration announced that, starting October 1, 2008, it’s National Fire Academy will issue continuing education units (CEUs) for students attending on-campus courses. Students who need CEUs to maintain certification in their states or professional associations now can earn CEUs for each National Fire Academy (NFA) on-campus course they attend in Emmitsburg, Maryland.
“There can be no doubt, the continuing pursuit of education is critical to our nation’s fire departments as new technologies and new challenges present themselves in every community,” said U.S. Fire Administrator Greg Cade.”It is just as critical those firefighters pursuing higher educational opportunities receive the credits and recognition for their accomplishments.”
Students who attend NFA on-campus classes, designated with an “R”, will receive from 5.0 to 8.0 CEUs for each course. The number of CEUs will be granted based on the length of the courses. The CEUs will be printed on the student’s end-of-course certificate, so they will have immediate documentation of their work. CEUs cannot be granted for on-campus courses taken before October 1, 2008.
“CEUs are important in many professions, reflecting the recipient has maintained a minimum standard of continuing education to keep skills current,” continued Administrator Cade.”This new NFA effort may benefit up to 8,000 students each year.”
Earlier this year, the NFA began issuing CEUs for its online training effort, Coffee Break Training, available at NFA Online (www.nfaonline.dhs.gov). Questions about the CEU program can be directed to Stacey Harmon, Instructional Systems Specialist, at (301) 447-1624 or Stacey.A.Harmon@dhs.gov.
