Fire Marshals
LEMIT recently hosted the first executive development program for fire marshals in the nation.
The Bill Blackwood Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas (LEMIT) is partnering with the Texas Fire Marshals’ Association (TFMA) to provide the first executive development program for the discipline in the nation.
The Fire Executive Management Training Program for Fire Marshals will address nationally recognized standards along with the knowledge, skills and abilities needed to perform essential tasks of the job. The five-day program will focus on leadership and management for day-to-day operations of the fire marshals service, such as laws, codes and standards; human resources; budgeting; community risk analysis; community relations; and professional development. It will also provide advanced training in inspections, code enforcement, prevention, and investigations.
“We are thrilled for this opportunity to partner with Sam Houston State University and LEMIT in the development and delivery of this course for fire marshals,” said Laurie L. Christensen, President of the TFMA. “It addresses a need for executive management training for fire marshals across Texas and the nation, and we are excited to have a part in the first program in the United States to do that.”
To qualify, participants must be a fire marshal or in leadership role; hold a certificate as a fire inspector, a fire investigator or in public education; and have completed the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Course 3737 or Texas Commission on Fire Protection programs Fire Officer I and II or hold a bachelor’s degree in business, public administration, or related field. Admission to the program will be on a competitive basis through an application process. Sponsorships are currently being accepted to keep cost to a minimum.
“With its long-standing commitment to providing exceptional management and leadership development, LEMIT is pleased to extend this tremendous opportunity to fire service personnel,” said Dr. Rita J. Watkins. Executive Director of LEMIT. “This training will provide participants with the necessary tools to inspire excellence in leadership and enhance the effective delivery of services to the communities they serve.”
For the last 30 years, LEMIT has led the nation in providing education, professional development, research and service to law enforcement agencies around the state to inspire leadership and management skills for 21st Century policing. Created by the Texas Legislature in 1989, LEMIT is one of the largest and most sophisticated statewide preparation programs for police management and is nationally recognized for its initiatives to develop the administrative, analytical, and executive skills of current and future law enforcement officials. LEMIT is branching out to provide high-caliber professional development opportunities to other public safety agencies that serve the community. This month, it launched an initiative for dispatchers and telecommunications staff to help reduce stress and better learn how to deal with difficult people.
The new program is designed to serve the fire marshal service, a unique entity that combines the skills of fire service with those of law enforcement. Among the activities that will be undertaken are:
- Review laws, codes, standards, and regulatory agencies governing fire marshals
- Manage budgets, records, information and human resources for your agency
- Develop strategic planning
- Evaluate community risk management
- Improve community relations strategies for fire and life safety
- Participate in professional development
- Learn advanced fire prevention, inspection and education techniques
For more information about the new initiatives, visit Fire Executive Management Training Program page.
