Fire departments across the country are pre­paring for new, high risk situations while striving to maintain basic preparedness. The Fire Science Institute helps profes­sionals in the firefighting field meet new challenges while continuing to prepare the next generation of personnel. The Institute hosts educational programs for profession­als, educators and researchers. Basic train­ing programs include test preparation for the written and physical exam for the New York City Fire Department; the FDNY’s cadet training program; and a program in­tegrating college students into the fire ser­vice.

Specialized programs are developed for public and private agencies and include the Fire Safety Directors Program for high rise buildings, hotels, and hospitals; arson related instruction for FDNY Fire Marshals; Train the Trainer programs for health and safety for New York State Professional Firefighters and the Uniformed Fire Officers Association of New York City; and a newly evolved Emergency Action Plan Directors program for existing Fire Safety Directors under Local Law 26. This is a new statute requiring emergency action plans for non-fire related emergencies in class E buildings. In addition, the Institute has established itself as a certification agency for a variety of specialists and officials.