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About the Fire and Emergency Services Higher Education initiative

Working with coordinators of two- and four-year academic fire and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) management degree programs, the U. S. Fire Administration established the Fire and Emergency Services Higher Education (FESHE) network of emergency services-related education and training providers. The FESHE mission is to:

Establish an organization of post-secondary institutions to promote higher education and to enhance the recognition of the fire and emergency services as a profession to reduce loss of life and property from fire and other hazards.

FESHE members have made remarkable strides in:

  • Developing the National Professional Development Model and the Emergency Medical Services Professional Development Model.
  • Developing the National Professional Development Matrix XLS 102 KB, a practical application for using the professional development models. (How to use the matrix).
  • Creating model course outlines for fire-related and EMS management degree programs in partnership with publishers to write textbooks that support them.
  • Establishing a model for an integrated system of higher education, training and experience.
  • Recognizing which collegiate emergency services degree programs meet the minimum standards of excellence.
  • Fostering culture change in line-of-duty death prevention through a partnership between the FESHE community and the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation.

Professional development models

The National Professional Development Model and the Emergency Medical Services Professional Development Model illustrate how the four pillars of professional development influence your career: Training, Academic Education, Relevant Experience and Continuing Education. The models graphically support the National Professional Development Matrix.

National Professional Development

National Professional Development Model
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Emergency Medical Services

EMS Professional Development Model
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Download the FESHE program mark

The FESHE program mark represents the idea that within the ivory towers of higher education, firefighters and fire officers, armed with the knowledge and a college degree, can reduce the human and economic impact of fires in their communities. This mark is public domain and may be used freely.

Download the program mark — 2100px x 2100px JPG 1.8 MB
FESHE program mark