Applications are due October 31 for FOA 25-01

October 9, 2024

Applications for the 25-01 (March 2-7, 2025) cohort of the Fire Officer Academy: The Company Officer are due October 31 at 12 p.m. midnight.

The Fire Officer Academy 24-02 class was canceled due to Hurricane Helene and although the individuals selected to attend 24-02 are invited to participate in 25-01, additional participants are needed. Applications are open to fill the remaining spots. The Fire Officer Academy maintains a standard and that standard includes the completion of the application and selection processes. All applicants who were not selected for 24-02 will go through the entire selection process to include online assessments.

The Fire Officer Academy (FOA) is an initiative developed by the Officers Section of the South Carolina State Firefighters’ Association to further develop leaders in the fire service by employing a blended learning environment so that students have both the knowledge and hands-on experiences necessary to succeed as a company officer with their department.

To date, over 100 company officers from across the state have graduated from the FOA. The impact of the program continues to grow in significance as alumni take ownership of the experience and pass along the hard-earned lessons from the FOA to their peers.

South Greenville Fire Department Captain Jeremy King is a graduate of FOA 24-01. For him, FOA reignited his passion for the job.

“After nearly 21 continuous years as a career firefighter, this program helped rekindle those thoughts and desires that were present 25 years ago when I started my fire service journey as a volunteer. It helped me to refocus on what truly matters,” Jeremy wrote in his post-program survey.

Lieutenant/Paramedic with Jasper County Fire-Rescue, Haley Langford Kearnes is an alumna of FOA 23-02. The experience provided an opportunity for her to self-reflect and truly identify the role of the company officer.

“This program is for the servant-minded leader, and those who will always put others before self,” Lt. Kearnes wrote in her survey. “Company officers are the backbone of the fire department, and it is the duty of every company officer to humbly lead, commit to learning, and communicate effectively. This program embodies those qualities and so much more.”

St. Andrews Public Service District Chief Charles Lamoreaux has witnessed what attending the FOA does for a company officer, remarking, “In the days since the Fire Officer Academy, I have watched our officer’s passion for training and support of the organization continue to grow.”

The FOA offers numerous learning opportunities for students, but arguably the biggest advantage to attending FOA is the network of alumni that touches every corner of South Carolina.

A few of the departments represented by FOA alumni include:

• Greenville City Fire Department
• Columbia Fire Department
• Lexington County Fire Service
• Clemson University Fire & EMS
• Irmo Fire District
• Bluffton Township Fire District
• City of Beaufort/Town of Port Royal Fire Department
• North Charleston Fire Department
• Horry County Fire-Rescue
• McConnells Volunteer Fire Department
• Lugoff Fire Department
• Bennettsville Fire Department
• Kershaw County Fire-Rescue
• Jasper County Fire-Rescue

We are eagerly awaiting the 25-01 class of the Fire Officer Academy: The Company Officer. This is a competitive selection process – be sure to proofread your work before submitting your application. The details matter!

Submit your application by October 31 at 12 p.m. midnight.