The U.S. Fire Administration soon will publish new procedures for recruiting and certifying contract instructors on its Web site. Those interested in becoming NFA instructors are encouraged to watch for announcements on the site.

“On any typical day, the NFA receives questions and inquiries from many different individuals, public and private organizations and fire service personnel regarding the process for becoming an instructor at the National Fire Academy,” according to Superintendent Dr. Denis Onieal. “The NFA will soon be actively seeking and soliciting for new instructors in all of its subject areas.”

One of the changes about to be announced is the opportunity for potential instructors who otherwise meet the qualifications to teach a class can now become eligible contract instructors without attending the once-mandatory in-service training class. Depending on the specific course of instruction, a contract instructor might meet qualifications by demonstrating teaching a module of the class while in attendance at the NFA.

“The National Fire Academy is constantly trying to improve its operations,” said Onieal. “We’ve shortened classes in response to student requests, now we have opened the doors to the next generation of NFA instructors.”

The recruitment of new instructors will begin in the coming weeks. Interested individuals will be able to learn about the new procedures, and be able to submit applications online.