Becoming successful as a fire service instructor is about becoming discovered, not manufactured. It’s not a rigid path with a step-by-step formula, nor is it about mimicking the successes of others. Instead, it’s a journey that requires introspection, humility, and an authentic approach.
Many dismiss the fact that the role of a fire instructor carries incredible responsibility. Instructing others in a field where lives are at stake requires more than just a loose understanding of book theory. It requires understanding human behavior, emotional intelligence, and the ability to inspire others to push their limits to professionalism. To achieve this, as an instructor, you must develop a teaching style that is effective and authentic to who you are as a person and professional.
Think of it like this: when you listen to a great song, what makes it unique is the artist’s authenticity. There’s a complete lack of connection from the performance to the audience if you are simply playing someone else’s song.
This is why I have never connected with cover bands, for they never genuinely hit the same emotional chord as the original artists. The passion and the unique delivery are achieved through the original artist’s experience. Similarly, as a fire service instructor, students will resonate with your message because you know the material through experience and bring your own personal journey and wisdom to the training game. That said, two different instructors can teach the same material, but the one who speaks their authentic self, and who reflects through humility, is the instructor who will leave a lasting impact.
Students of the Game
However, a vital part of this journey is realizing that no matter how much experience you think you have, there’s always more to learn.
The fire service is constantly evolving. New ideas, different perspectives, and unique challenges always seem to arise. From my experience, the best instructors remain lifelong students of the game, understanding that there is no limit to learning from others, whether it’s from another instructor, the brothers and sisters in the firehouse, or even the newest probationary firefighter. This is what makes the education in fire service organic and unique.
This attitude requires humility. To be an effective fire instructor, you must remain open to feedback and be willing to admit when you don’t know something. It can be tempting to rest on your years of experience or past accomplishments, but actual growth comes from embracing the fact that knowledge is constantly evolving. Humility is what separates a great instructor from one who relies on outdated knowledge and textbook teaching methods. It’s about how much you know and your willingness to continue learning and adapting.
Being a fire instructor is as much about listening as it is about speaking. Successful instructors share knowledge but also learn from those they teach. Every lecture, every hands-on opportunity, and every new experience can offer lessons if you’re willing to listen and observe.
Some of the best insights come from unexpected places, whether it’s a question challenging your past experiences or a new firefighter’s fresh perspective on how to cut a roof or force a door you have forced countless times.
All things considered, teaching is a collaborative process where the instructor and student learn together. This mutual respect creates an environment where students feel comfortable asking questions, challenging ideas, and looking inside the box before they look outside. When young firefighters see that their instructor is also learning and adapting, it reinforces the notion that growth is a lifelong process, both in firefighting and in life.
Look Within
Self-reflection is another critical aspect of being a fire instructor. The ability to look back at your performance and honestly evaluate what worked and what didn’t is essential for growth. This process requires you to set your ego aside and be honest with yourself. Did you truly understand what you were trying to deliver? Did you present it in a clear and engaging way? Were you able to connect with the students on both a professional and a personal level?
One of the biggest traps many instructors fall into is getting caught up in the opinions of others. Whether it’s pressure from the fire industry or the fire service, it’s easy to feel that you must conform to certain expectations or prove yourself by being the best.
Competition often breeds ego, which can be dangerous on and off the fireground. It can lead you to prioritize looking good over being authentically good. It can make you defensive when challenged, or worse, it can cause you to lose sight of why you became an instructor in the first place.
When you’re focused on competing with other instructors, you’re no longer focused on improving yourself or your message. Instead of constantly worrying about what others think or trying to outdo the next instructor, focus on refining your abilities through your experiences. Look inward. Ask yourself how you can improve from your last tour, previous lecture, or, more importantly, your last fire. This mindset shift turns competition into self-growth. You no longer need external validation through “the circuit.” Your growth becomes your reward.
That’s the best part of all of this.
A Job Well Done
I often speak about humility, which also means recognizing that sometimes the fire service or your students will outgrow you, and that’s a good thing. As an instructor, your goal is to ultimately educate, but more importantly, to motivate and give them the tools and knowledge they need to succeed in a highly cutthroat and exceptionally dangerous arena. In the end, it’s not about maintaining your status as the smartest or most experienced person in the room. If your students surpass you, you’ve done your job well.
That’s the ultimate success as a fire instructor.
Ultimately, the most successful instructors teach from a place of authenticity and humility. They aren’t afraid to admit when they don’t know something, and they’re always seeking to improve, not for the sake of external validation but because they have a deep commitment and absolute love for their craft, this job, and the betterment of the overall fire service.
So, as you continue your journey to becoming a fire service instructor, remember that the most important competition is with yourself. Strive for excellence in your development, stay true to your passion, and let humility guide you. In doing so, you’ll not only become a great fire instructor but also inspire others to discover their absolute greatness.
Mickey Farrell is a third-generation firefighter with 30 years of experience who serves as a lieutenant in the Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY). He has spent the last 24 years working for the FDNY and is also an instructor at their fire academy. Additionally, he is the founder and author of Top Floor Tactics, an Instagram based training network and hosts the View From the Top Floor Podcast. More: www.instagram.com/topfloortactics
