The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) has reported that the U.S. Fire Administration’s National Fire Academy (NFA) is now accepting applications for its fall 2025 on-campus training program.
Applications must be submitted electronically by July 15.
The training courses will be held at the National Emergency Training Center (NETC) in Emmitsburg, Maryland, between October and December 2025.
Students must use the NETC Online Admissions Application to apply.
Paper forms are being phased out and are no longer accepted for course registration.
The NETC application system serves both the NFA and the Emergency Management Institute (EMI).
Applicants must provide a FEMA Student Identification (SID) number, course code, and any required supporting documentation before submission.
The National Fire Academy stated that all applicants must prepare documentation in advance.
Required documents include resumes, prerequisite certifications, and any supporting materials requested by the course provider.
Documents must be in PDF format and no larger than 1 MB each.
The NFA added that applications must be electronically approved by the head of the sponsoring organization.
Applicants need to provide the name, title, and email address of the approving official during the application process.
For EMI applicants who are not part of the federal government, the State Training Officer (STO) must be listed as the “Head of Organization.”
STO contact information is available via the First Responder Training portal.
The current online application system is not compatible with mobile devices.
The National Fire Academy explained that incomplete applications or those missing documentation will not be considered.
Additional documents cannot be submitted after the application has been filed.
If an application is denied, the student must reapply in full.
Applicants are encouraged to check all requirements before submission to avoid disqualification.
All applications must be completed online using the designated NETC portal.
According to the National Fire Academy, on-campus training is delivered under a cost-sharing model between students or their organizations and the NFA.
The NFA pays for tuition, instruction, course materials, and lodging for U.S. students.
It also provides shuttle services between NETC and specific airports.
Students or their sponsoring bodies are responsible for meals, parking, transportation to local airports, luggage fees, rental cars, and personnel-related expenses.
Eligible students may apply for reimbursement of mileage or airfare.
The National Fire Academy stated that individuals from state, local, tribal, and territorial agencies, as well as recognized volunteer and emergency management organizations, are eligible for reimbursement.
Federal employees, private industry professionals, and contractors are not eligible for travel reimbursement.
Foreign nationals and attendees of weekend programs are also excluded.
Only one reimbursement is provided per year per student, except for those enrolled in the Executive Fire Officer Program, who may receive up to three per year.
Students attending additional classes at their own expense must submit a letter confirming that they understand reimbursement will not be provided.
Travel reimbursement does not apply to weekend programs or 2-day pilot courses.
The National Fire Academy is accepting applications for fall 2025 on-campus training.
Applications must be submitted online by July 15.
Courses will be held at the NETC campus in Emmitsburg, Maryland, from October to December 2025.
Applicants must have a FEMA SID, course code, and any required documentation.
Only PDF documents of up to 1 MB each are accepted.
The application requires electronic approval from the applicant’s sponsoring organization.
State Training Officers must approve EMI applicants who are not federal employees.
Mobile devices are not supported by the online application system.
The NFA will not consider incomplete or denied applications for re-review.
Students must pay for meals, ground transport, and other personal costs.
The NFA covers tuition, course materials, on-campus lodging, and shuttle service.
Travel reimbursement is offered to eligible state and volunteer agency members.
Contractors, private industry, and foreign nationals are not eligible for reimbursement.
Only one trip per year is reimbursed, except for EFO students.
Reimbursement does not apply to weekend or 2-day pilot programs.
