The Fire Officer Academy: The Company Officer is an intense program not designed for the complacent. The Company Officer tests students in ways they haven’t been tested since they joined the fire service, leaving a lasting impression on the trajectory of their career and the camaraderie between students creates a lifelong family. The Company Officer takes you back to the basics while addressing the issues you face as a leader, figuratively and literally, in your department.
Every detail about every day is intentional. This program is designed specifically to develop the decision-making, time-management and leadership skills that separate good company officers from great company officers.
The hard conversations that happen in private in your department happen out loud during classroom sessions; the informal bay sessions with fire service leaders purposefully remind you why you were selected to participate in the program. From the morning physical training sessions to mealtime, The Fire Officer Academy: The Company Officer is calculated in its approach as it aims to uplift, test, and challenge the leaders of the South Carolina fire service.
The week-long Fire Officer Academy is held at the South Carolina Fire Academy where students will stay on campus in a platoon style environment. Daily activities include physical fitness drills, projects, hearing from guest speakers and live burn evaluations.
The applicant must have Fire Officer I (or greater) as a prerequisite. Note that an application is required, including a resume, cover letter, and letter from the applicant’s Chief. Applicants do not need to be a member of the South Carolina State Firefighters’ Association Officers Section but membership with the Officers Section is preferred. Applications will be vetted prior to being accepted into the program which will include a 2 phase selection process. The initial selection will be based on the application, resume, cover letter and Chief’s recommendation. The 2nd phase of the process will include an intensive online assessment. This phase will entail approximately 20-hours of work. Final selection is based on the applicants submissions. The Fire Officer Academy is limited to 25 people.
Visit scsfaevents.org/officeracademy/ for more information.