Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Training topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Training cancellations at Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute raise concerns about instructor availability
Summary
Board members and chiefs said multiple fire‑service classes were canceled at the last minute by the Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute, causing scheduling disruptions. County and regional training centers have held meetings to address instructor availability and personnel changes at the Southern Maryland Training Center.
Brian Cooper, assistant county fire chief, told the Emergency Services Board that several classes run through the Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute (MFRI) have been canceled at the last minute because instructors failed to appear, leaving students and training coordinators unable to proceed.
"We've had several Miffrey classes ... they have been canceled at last minute for instructors not showing up," Cooper said, describing unpredictable scheduling for fire‑service courses.
Board members said there have been recent meetings with MFRI leadership, including Director Cox and representatives from the University of Maryland's MFRI program, to try to resolve the problem. Cooper and other members noted personnel changes at the Southern Maryland Training Center and that the fire side of training faces particular instructional shortages compared with EMS training, which the board said coordinates instructor coverage differently.
One board member said key local chiefs have stepped in to try to stabilize class scheduling and the county hopes MFRI personnel changes and local coordination will reduce cancellations.
The board did not adopt a formal resolution; members agreed to continue engagement with MFRI leadership and local training centers to improve reliability.
