The fireground evolves with the science of combustion and updated practices that are performed on scene, and those changes result in continuing education for firefighters. Today’s fire service has an abundance of training capabilities that previous responders didn’t have, including virtual classes, learning management system (LMS) platforms and accreditations, plus online self-paced training programs with testing and credentialing based on modern science and accepted operational guidelines. One of these resources is the Fire Safety Academy (FSA), offered by UL Research Institute’s Fire Safety Research Institute.

Training academy website

The FSA’s free, self-paced training programs are research-backed and include classes on fire dynamics, accepted strategy and tactics on specific occupancies, and health and safety, among others. The Fire Safety Research Institute continues to advance the fire service forward by providing safety recommendations and reducing risk to firefighters by conducting research and providing education in the study’s findings.

To access the online FSA, visit https://training.fsri.org. From there, easily set up a free account that allows access to the entire course library that includes more than 35 courses plus microlessons that are tied to the most up-to-date NFPA Professional Qualifications Standards.

Various course offerings

The course library includes a wide range of topics, including Heat Transfer and PPE, Fire Dynamics in Structures, Thermal and Chemical Exposures in the Fire Service, Coordination of Suppression and Ventilation in Single-Family Homes, Structural Stability of Engineered Lumber Under Fire Conditions and detailed near-miss incidents.

FSA’s newest training course, “Evidence-Based Structural Firefighting,” was updated to reflect the newest research results and guidance for fireground operations. This program aids in further education on topic-specific programs and implementation of the practices found in NFPA 1700: Guide for Structural Firefighting (2026). Topics include search and rescue, structural fire dynamics, exposure and hygiene considerations, and implementation considerations.

Access to the course includes a downloadable resource list, and the playbook “Evidence-Based Considerations for Your Fireground” is offered with that.

Signing up for courses and completing programs can be done with the click of a button. Training is student-paced and can be paused and continued as the student chooses. Each program provides course examinations to confirm understanding and aid in providing continuing education credit for those who require tested programs for their licenses. Certificates are available after each program for download or printing.

In-house training curriculum addition

Training officers have the responsibility of finding quality training programs that provide current and research-based curriculum that can be delivered effectively and are available for a variety of schedules that can fit into their budget. With career departments having multiple shifts and volunteer availability varying, a trend toward online course availability is growing. The FSA addresses all of these issues by providing free, research-based programs that are available when the student is available.

Learning management program integration

Recently, Fire Safety Research Institute entered into a partnership with Advanced Problem Solving (APS FIRE) that will provide access to courses in the existing FSA, making it simpler to explore training programs, assign members classes to complete, confirm successful completion of the assigned programs, and track membership training, all on one LMS platform. This helps training officers manage training throughout the year, combining ease of accessibility with real-time tracking for each member’s needs. APS FIRE has provided LMS technology and credential management since 2012 and continues to support emergency service providers with resources to keep their responders safe. Additional integrations are in active development and will be announced over the coming months.

The takeaway

Incident mitigation on today’s fireground requires the most up-to-date training on fire dynamics, operational coordination, ventilation considerations and rescue of trapped occupants. This Fire Safety Research Institute-based training is critical for firefighters to operate effectively and safely. Training offered by the Fire Safety Research Institute is exceptional, and the ability to integrate with other learning platforms allows you to track and document training and accreditation all at one place, earning this training the Firehouse Product Review Seal of Approval.