Professional development within the fire service may look different depending on the type of organization a person works in. Regardless, given the paramilitary structure, many individuals will serve for several decades with intention to move up the chain of command. This requires that an individual becomes proficient at their given rank, seek to advance their skill-sets, build a positive reputation, and follow through with various testing/ promotional processes.
Given that many firefighters have a strong identity in their profession, advancement can signify their perceived value to the organization. Therefore, professional development can have vast implications to their level of investment, esteem, and longevity.
FSPA Commitment:
- Train clinicians on the specific challenges related to professional development/ organizational stressors within the fire service.
- Connect firefighters with psychologists specifically trained in performance enhancement.
- Advance research related to professional development in the fire service.
