Fire Officer and Chief Officer (I, II, III, IV)
We offer an optional Pro Board ® Accredited Certification provided by the Great Oaks Career Campuses for an additional fee. See details for each class below. All courses are taught by officers with full-time experience for the class being taught. Two instructors are assigned to each course, and at least one experienced chief officer teaches every class listed on this page. Classes are hosted at your location, and we handle all the registrations. Call today 513-402-2479.
Fire Officer 1: Pro Board ®* Accredited Certification
NFPA 1021 Fire Officer I training prepares firefighters for their first leadership role, focusing on supervising personnel, delivering emergency services, managing company-level training, and handling basic administrative/inspection duties, all while emphasizing firefighter health, safety, and effective command at the first-arriving company level. It covers crucial areas such as human resource management, community relations, incident command (ICS/NIMS), fire behavior, and developing a positive safety culture, as well as transitioning skills from firefighter to supervisor. This is a two-week, 10-day course (80 hours of classroom instruction), unlike other classes that are shortened to 5 days or incorporate distance learning. Why? We want our students to return to your department prepared to tackle the coaching and disciplinary processes, which we dedicate 16 hours to achieving this objective alone. Additionally, we run students through 16 hours of simulation-based tactical work while they function in the right front seat as the initial IC. Textbook not included. The minimum class size is 12, the maximum is 22.
Textbook: Fire Officer: Principles and Practice, 4e Fourth Edition, International Association of Fire Chiefs; National Fire Protection Association; Michael J. Ward, EMT-P ISBN:9781284172393 © 2021| 550 pages
Registration Fee: $1150 (destination fees may apply if air travel is required)
*Pro Board ® accreditation is optional and has an additional fee. A prerequisite of the Pro Board ® Instructor is needed to obtain the Pro Board ® Fire Officer 1.
Fire Officer 2: Pro Board ®* Accredited Certification
NFPA 1021 Fire Officer II training focuses on moving from managing firefighters (Officer I) to managing officers and complex operations, covering administration, budgeting, human resources, public fire education, data analysis, incident investigations (origin/cause), post-incident analysis, and developing incident action plans (IAPs) for multi-unit responses, preparing officers for Chief-level roles. It's for officers leading other officers, requiring Fire Officer I as a prerequisite, and involves classroom, online learning, and practical application for national certification. This is a 40-hour course. Textbook not included. The minimum class size is 12, the maximum is 22.
Textbook: Fire Officer: Principles and Practice, 4e Fourth Edition, International Association of Fire Chiefs; National Fire Protection Association; Michael J. Ward, EMT-P ISBN:9781284172393 © 2021| 550 pages
Registration Fee: $825 (destination fees may apply if air travel is required)
*Pro Board ® accreditation is optional and has an additional fee. A prerequisite of the Pro Board ® Fire Officer 1 is needed to obtain the Pro Board ® Fire Officer 2.
Chief Officer 3: Pro Board ®* Accredited Certification
NFPA 1021 Fire Officer III training prepares senior officers (battalion/division chief level) for advanced management, focusing on strategic planning, budgeting, human resources, community relations, and emergency management, building on Fire Officer I & II skills with real-world scenarios, policy development, and data analysis to manage complex fire service organizations and lead at a higher executive level. This is a 40-hour course. Textbook not included. The minimum class size is 12, the maximum is 22.
Textbook: Chief Officer: Principles and Practice, Third Edition, International Association of Fire Chiefs; National Fire Protection Association; David Purchase, ISBN:9781284172478, © 2021| 408 pages
Registration Fee: $825 (destination fees may apply if air travel is required)
*Pro Board ® accreditation is optional and has an additional fee. A prerequisite of the Pro Board ® Fire Officer 2 is needed to obtain the Pro Board ® Fire Officer 3.
May 5th, 7th, 12th, 14th, and 19th at West Chester FD Station 71.
Instructors:
Chief Johnson MVFD, and AC Ludwig Middletown
Fire/Chief Officer III is where operational competence meets executive responsibility. This program moves beyond tactics and into organizational leadership, fiscal management, policy development, labor relations, and strategic decision-making — the responsibilities that define chief-level influence. Must provide proof of completion of a Fire Officer 2 course.
Chief Officer: Principles and Practice, Third Edition, IAFC, NFPA. Textbook not included: Chief Officer 3e w print version: https://checkout.jblearning.com/cart/Default.aspx?bc=17247-8&ref=psg&coupon=ascent25
Chief Officer 3e digital version:
https://checkout.jblearning.com/cart/Default.aspx?bc=19019-9&ref=psg&coupon=ascent25
Only $500/student to pay by PO, select "PO" at checkout.
or
Pay by credit card for $517/student
Must register by April 5th, 2026.
Chief Officer 4: Pro Board ®* Accredited Certification
NFPA 1021 Fire Officer IV training focuses on executive-level fire service management, developing advanced skills in strategic planning, budgeting, human resources, community relations, and emergency service delivery, preparing officers for chief officer roles by shifting from tactical to administrative leadership. Courses cover long-range planning, resource allocation, developing department programs, risk analysis, and managing complex multi-agency operations, all built on prior officer levels. This is a 40-hour course. Textbook not included. The minimum class size is 12, the maximum is 22.
Textbook: Chief Officer: Principles and Practice, Third Edition, International Association of Fire Chiefs; National Fire Protection Association; David Purchase, ISBN:9781284172478, © 2021| 408 pages
Registration Fee: $825 (destination fees may apply if air travel is required)