Fire Service Educator Fellowship

Teaching fire science and evidence-based practices is demanding work. It often means helping firefighters connect research to practice, teaching concepts they may believe they already understand, and building confidence in new ideas while valuing the experience that came before them.

These aren't challenges that can be solved through content knowledge alone. The Fire Service Educator Fellowship is built on a simple idea: knowing the content and teaching it effectively are two different skills. You already bring the content expertise. Through practical learning, peer collaboration, and real-world application, the Fellowship helps you continue honing your craft as an educator and strengthening your ability to help others understand, trust, and apply new knowledge.

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Educator Fellowship Program Structure

The Educator Fellowship combines in-person events, self-paced learning, virtual cohort sessions, and a department-based capstone project over a 12-month period.

• January 12–13, 2027 | In-person Opening Summit (Marietta, GA)
  Kick off your Fellowship experience alongside peers from across the fire service. Travel costs are covered.
• January–May 2027 | Learning and collaboration
  Participate in self-paced learning, peer feedback, and cohort discussions centered on real-world teaching challenges. Using monthly themes as the learning context, you'll explore how to teach complex topics, build credibility with learners, and help firefighters connect research to practice.
• June–October 2027 | Department-based capstone project
  Design and deliver a learning experience within your own department, applying what you've learned with the people you regularly train.
• November–December 2027 | Reflection and continued growth
  Reflect on your experience and share key lessons learned with your cohort.
• December 7–8, 2027 | In-person Closing Summit (location TBD)
  Reconnect with your cohort, share lessons learned, and transition into the Fellowship's alumni mentorship community. Travel costs are covered.

Educator Fellowship Program Details at a Glance

The Fellowship is designed to fit the realities of working in the fire service while providing meaningful opportunities for professional growth.

• Application deadline: Saturday, October 24, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET
• Program dates: January 2027–December 2027
• Monthly commitment: ~2.5–5 hours per month, plus travel for two in-person summits
• Seven required virtual cohort sessions, typically held on the last Wednesday of the month
• Cohort size: 15–25 fellows
• Cost: No cost to participate; travel support and a participation stipend are provided
• Format: Hybrid, including two required in-person events

What You’ll Gain as a Fellow

Whether you're introducing new research, teaching a familiar topic in a new way, or helping others connect learning to practice, the Fellowship is designed to help you grow as an educator.

During the Fellowship, you'll:

• Strengthen your teaching skills, confidence, and practical know-how to help evidence-based practices take hold
• Learn alongside a select, diverse cohort from across the fire service
• Explore practical approaches for teaching challenging topics
• Receive expert instruction, peer support, and coaching
• Apply new strategies in your own department
• Join a mentorship program and an alumni community after graduation

Completing the Fellowship is not the end of the experience. After graduation, fellows are matched with an experienced mentor. Fellows also become part of a growing alumni community committed to advancing fire service education. As the community grows, graduates will have opportunities to support future cohorts and help shape the next generation of fire service educators.

The Educator Fellowship is a professional development opportunity. It is not a certification program, and participation does not imply employment or any formal relationship with the Fire Safety Research Institute beyond the Fellowship experience.

Who Should Apply to Be a Fellow?

The Educator Fellowship is designed for fire service professionals who actively help others learn. Potential applicants may include department training officers, instructors, company officers, and other fire service professionals with teaching or training responsibilities.

You may be a strong candidate if you:

• Regularly teach, train, or develop others
• Want to continue growing as an educator
• Are willing to examine new research and consider different approaches to teaching and practice
• Are interested in refining how you communicate complex topics
• Have opportunities to apply what you learn in your department
• Can commit to participating throughout the 12-month Fellowship

Career, volunteer, and combination department members of the fire service are encouraged to apply.

Prior participation in Fire Safety Research Institute research, training, or other programs is not required and does not provide an advantage during the selection process.

Ready to Apply?

The application begins with a brief eligibility screening. Eligible applicants will then create an account and complete an application that includes several open-ended questions about their experience, interest in the Fellowship, and goals as an educator. Please note that this account is separate from a Fire Safety Academy account.

Applicants will also be asked to upload a resume and provide contact information for a supervisor who will be asked to confirm support through the application system.

Applicants can start their application, save their progress, and return at any time before the deadline. Applications close Saturday, October 24, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET.

Start your Application