The coming year is going to be a tough one for the fire service. If you thought it was pigeonholed under the Department of Homeland Security organizational chart, don't blink in 2005. You haven't seen anything yet.

Internal battles within DHS, particularly with the imminent departure of Secretary Tom Ridge, appear to be escalating. The National Fire Academy is at the top of my list of concerns. This gem of a training academy experienced an infusion of common sense and money within the past few years from new, top-notch administration. The energy on campus was tangible, and more students than ever applied for the limited spaces available. Even tenured employees who survived recent FEMA directors were pressured to shape-up.

Aggressive plans to take much-needed NFA courses to U.S. fire departments were under way. Electronic technology and links with local community colleges could ease the increasing demands for training to local fire departments. The National Incident Management System just might work if standardized training were available to all fire departments across the country.

But drastic budget cuts this fiscal year -- projected at $11 million -- have severely affected the NFA. New course development, course revisions and contract reviewers for the applied research projects are all on hold. The NFA leadership told students that the Executive Fire Officer budget was cut from $233,000 to $65,000 and they might have to pay for their own assessment instruments. Is this how to prepare future leaders for challenges in emergency services?

Wayne Powell, chief of the U.S. Fire Administration's Citizen and Community Preparedness Program -- and one of the NFA's long-serving staff members -- is retiring next week. Not one to mince words, Powell says his frustration with the severe budget cuts and the unwillingness of leadership "to raise hell" about the demise of the National Fire Academy is the reason he is leaving.

"It's clear that the DHS does not care about the fire service or any aspect of prevention or anything that furthers the cause of preparedness," he says.

According to Powell, the NFA's role in the prevention of fires, injuries and now terrorism is "rapidly going away." He's also very concerned about the relevance of the fire academy courses, since funding to develop new classes has been cut. "Never has it been like this in our history," he says.

Some say all federal agencies are suffering cuts, but Powell sees more funding going to law enforcement. "Maybe we should rethink this and let law enforcement take over fire," he muses, "but with no additional funds! [We'll] see if citizens raise money for radar detectors or to buy police cars!"

Powell believes that the fire service does not belong in DHS. "It's not a fire-friendly agency," he says.

From what I'm hearing, many share Powell's strong opinions. You have to admit, recent news reports of top DHS officials' departures conjure images of lemmings running for a cliff. While attending to "family commitments" sounds like an honorable reason for resigning, the fire service is left dangling once again with boot in hand. It needs more funding -- not cuts -- and a voice in our federal government.

What can be done to help the NFA? Maybe it's time to call your Congressional representatives and educate them about how budget cuts at the NFA may affect you at the grassroots level. Calls from Congress can sometimes change things at federal agencies. Is NFA restructuring needed to meet the needs of local fire departments? Now might be a good time for USFA and DHS to get your feedback. Submit comments via the Web at www.usfa.fema.gov/applications/feedback/ or call 800-238-3358.

Don't just sit there, please. DO something.

Happy New Year? We'll see.

Janet Wilmoth, Editor