University of Maryland | Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute, College Park, MD
Executive Director’s Greeting page 2
Mission and Vision page 3 Who We Are page 4
MFRI by the Numbers page 6
Federal Grant Funding page 8
Curriculum Updates page 10
Regional Training Centers page 12
Our Partners page 12
As we close another fiscal year at the Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute (MFRI), I want to take a moment to thank our faculty, staff, students, and instructors for making FY 2024 a truly exceptional year. Together, we have continued to strengthen MFRI’s standing as one of the nation’s premier emergency services training agencies—locally, nationally, and globally.
I am proud to be part of an organization filled with dedicated and talented individuals whose tireless efforts deliver excellence to the emergency response communities we are honored to serve.
This year marked continued transformation of MFRI’s future. Guided by our customer-centered strategic plan, we have:
• Explored partnerships within UMD to integrate artificial intelligence into our programs and delivery models
• Continued to develop, revise, and deliver training focusing on current and emerging challenges in emergency response
• Initiated the implementation of a new information, records, and payroll system
• Launched online training for all MFRI instructors
• Successfully completed reaccreditation through ProBoard and IFSAC
• Reestablished a quality assurance and improvement program
The Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute (MFRI) is the state’s comprehensive training and education system for all-hazard responses. The Institute plans, researches, develops, and delivers quality programs to prepare agencies and individuals to protect life, property, and the environment.
The Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute is and will continue to be a premier emergency services training and education organization by developing and delivering high-quality training. MFRI will constantly evolve to address developing trends and needs in emergency services training.
• Explored the feasibility of a new special operations training facility
• Completed an $8.6 million renovation of our Western Maryland Regional Training Center
Additionally, we administered more than 2,900 National Registry EMT/EMR tests in our Pearson VUE test centers, consistently exceeding national pass rate averages.
Our Planning Section’s curriculum development team also revised/developed more than 20 training programs to address emerging issues facing our emergency responders.
As we look ahead to a new fiscal year, our priorities include:
• Exploring innovative technologies and delivery models
• Launching a new five-year strategic planning process
• Continuing to develop, revise, and deliver new programs
• Supporting ongoing workforce training and development
• Standardizing administrative processes across all MFRI regions
I look forward to another year of progress and impact.
Michael E. Cox, Jr., MS, CFO, EFO, NRP Executive Director
Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute was founded in 1930 after the chief of the Annapolis Fire Company requested that the University of Maryland President establish a fire college to teach basic firefighting skills to Maryland volunteer fire companies. An annual short course was initially established and 49 students attended. The success of the short course spurred demand for year-round fire training offered at various experience levels.
Today MFRI trains 25,000-35,000 first responders annually at our headquarters in College Park and at our six regional training centers across Maryland. Our regional facilities are strategically located to minimize travel for the 354 Maryland fire departments that we train at no cost. Additionally, our instructors bring mobile training directly to fire stations and other locations as requested. Our course offerings are extensive with training provided in:
In addition to training Maryland’s first responders, our Special Programs department provides education, training, and consulting expertise to state, government, and commercial entities nationally and around the world.
During FY24, MFRI provided training to the following customers:
State and Government Agencies
• Andrews Air Force Base
• Barstow Marine Corp Logistics Base
• Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)
• City of Frederick Department of Public Works
• Fort Detrick
• Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall
• Marine Corps Air Facility - Quantico
• Maryland Aviation Administration
• Maryland Transit Administration
• Maryland Department of Emergency Management
• Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation
• Naval District of Washington
• Naval Facility Engineering Systems
• National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Fire Department
• New Jersey Air National Guard
• Northrop Grumman
• Tobyhanna Army Depot
• University of Maryland Environmental Lab
• United States Navy
• United States Secret Service
• United States Army Garrison Benelux and Fort Sill
• Wright Patterson Air Force Base
Commercial Customers
• Baltimore Aircoil Company, Inc.
• Baltimore Gas and Electric
• Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab
• Spec Rescue International
• Stanley Black & Decker
• Sunny Point
• W.L. Gore
• W.R. Grace & Co.
In an effort to respond to evolving issues facing first responders, MFRI also offers periodic seminars on pertinent topics. During FY24, seminars focused on:
• Lithium-Ion Battery Fires
• Pipeline Emergencies
• Port and Shipboard Firefighting
• Rail Car Incident Response
“I strive to impart a deeper understanding of the materials to the students beyond what is in the textbook. I tell them all the time, “I am not training you for you. I am training you for me, because one day you may have to step foot in my home to save my family, my friends, or me, and I want to feel confident that when you do, you will not falter.”
Cassie Goodman, MFRI EMT Instructor and Research Chemist at the National
of
and
During Fiscal Year 2024, MFRI was awarded five grants totaling more than $1.6 million dollars. We are thankful for the influx of funding that enables us to support the safety, training, and education of first responders across the state. A summary of each grant award follows:
Two Grants/Awarded By: Department of Homeland Security (DHS)/Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
AFG grants provide direct funding to fire departments, EMS organizations, and state fire training institutes to protect the health and safety of the public and first responder personnel against fire and fire-related hazards.
The AFG program plays an important role in helping MFRI provide realistic equipment and props that prepare our students for all-hazard responses. Funds from AFG are essential, enabling MFRI to replace outdated and obsolete personal protection equipment (turnout gear and SCBA units), training props, training aids, and other critical fire protection items such as thermal devices, air compressors, and simulators. This funded equipment enhances and promotes safety and provides more complete educational training. Equipment purchased through the grants directly impacts the personal protection and safety needs of our students and instructors.
Awarded By: Department of Homeland Security (DHS)/Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
MFRI assists the state’s emergency service responders by providing National Fire Academy programs in locales across the state. These programs greatly increase the number of trained Maryland responders as they lift the travel burden to the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland.
Awarded By: Maryland Department of Emergency Management (MDEM)
As the state’s lead training facility, MFRI provides a thorough hazardous materials course curriculum throughout the state enabling first responders to safely mitigate emergency incidents and protect Maryland citizens.
Training is offered multiple times throughout the year at various regional locations and local training facilities. Courses taught include: Hazardous Materials Operations; Hazardous Materials Awareness; Hazardous Materials Technician; Hazardous Materials/Incident Commander; Fire Protective Equipment and SCBA; Fire Aircraft Rescue Firefighter; and Rescue Technician Confined Space.
The HMEP grant funds instructor salaries, travel, and textbook/printing costs for the approved hazardous materials classes.
Awarded By: Maryland Department of Emergency Management (MDEM)
The MD-IMT was developed to support and manage escalating emergency incidents and/or complex pre-planned events within the State of Maryland that require a significant number of resources and will extend into multiple operational periods. Incidents include hazard mitigation, incident response, and disaster recovery.
MFRI facilitates IMT training and support providing a full-time manager and instructors to coordinate the activities of the Maryland Incident Management Team (MDIMT). The manager coordinates the department’s planning, coordination, equipment, and instructions for IMT-related training classes and also manages all aspects of deployments and emergency events. The position holder also provides support for qualifying and credentialing members from the Maryland Fire Service Personnel Qualifications Board (MFSPQB).
“Anyone can read a PowerPoint presentation to a class. The real value is teaching from experience, taking that information and making it
understandable
for your students. You must
be
able
to relate the material to
real-world applications. You must teach your victories and your failures to your students. That education is priceless and cannot be duplicated.”
Christopher Breedlove, MFRI Fire Instructor, Calvert County Zoning Enforcement Chief and Life Member and Training Officer for Waldorf Volunteer Fire Department
MFRI continually develops and revises class offerings in response to emerging issues and changing technology and protocols.
Newly Developed Courses
• Heavy Vehicle Extrication
• Fire Inspector
• First Responder Inspector
Courses Revised in FY 2024
• Conducting Safe Live Fire Training
• Confined Space Rescue Awareness
• Confined Space Rescue Operations
• Confined Space Rescue Technician
• EMT Instructor Skills Weekend
• Hazardous Materials Awareness
• Hazardous Materials Operations
• Hazardous Materials Metering Monitoring Sampling
• Hazardous Materials Technical Decontamination
• Hazardous Materials Technician
• Hazardous Materials Incident Commander
• Rope Rescue Awareness
• Rope Rescue Operations
• Rope Rescue Technician
• Swiftwater Rescue Awareness
• Swiftwater Rescue Operations
• Swiftwater Rescue Technician
• Trench Rescue Awareness
• Trench Rescue Operations
• Trench Rescue Technician
Courses Currently in Review
• Hazardous Materials Illicit Labs
• Hazardous Materials Victim Rescue and Recovery
• Heavy Vehicle Extrication
• Fire Inspector
• First Responder Inspector
• Plans Examiner
• Public Fire and Life Safety Educator I
• Public Fire and Life Safety Educator II
As a provider, I help a lot of people. As a teacher, I am multiplying the number of providers empowering students to save lives and creating a ripple effect of positive change. I want to make a difference on a broader scale.
Denise Massey, MFRI EMT Instructor
Keeping props and equipment current is essential to providing first responders with the ability to perform their demanding and often life-saving roles. Purchases for FY24 included: textbooks, training gear, new trailers, forcible entry and ventilation props, self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), and swift water rescue training supplies.
In addition to our headquarters in College Park, Maryland, MFRI has six regional training centers positioned throughout the state to deliver fire, rescue, and emergency medical training programs.
LOWER EASTERN SHORE REGIONAL TRAINING CENTER
Princess Anne serving Wicomico, Worcester, Dorchester, and Somerset Counties
NORTH CENTRAL REGIONAL OFFICE
Mount Airy serving Carroll, Frederick, Howard, and Montgomery Counties
NORTH EAST REGIONAL TRAINING CENTER
Edgewood serving Harford, Cecil, and Baltimore Counties, and Baltimore City
SOUTHERN MARYLAND REGIONAL TRAINING CENTER
LaPlata serving Calvert, Charles, St. Mary’s, and Prince George’s Counties
UPPER EASTERN SHORE REGIONAL TRAINING CENTER
Centreville serving Kent, Queen Anne’s, Caroline, Talbot, and Anne Arundel Counties
WESTERN MARYLAND REGIONAL TRAINING CENTER
Cresaptown serving Allegany, Garrett, and Washington Counties
MFRI also provides training at municipal and county training centers across Maryland in Allegany County, Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, Carroll County, Frederick County, Harford County, Howard County, Montgomery County, and Washington County.
Our partner organizations help fuel the MFRI mission as we work together to ensure first responders have the equipment, training, and education necessary to protect life, property, and the environment.
• Maryland Council of Fire and Rescue Academies
• County and City EMS/Fire/Rescue Departments
• International Association of Fire Chiefs
• International Fire Services Accreditation Congress
• Maryland Department of Emergency Management
• Maryland Fire Chiefs Association
• Maryland Fire/Rescue Education and Training Commission
• Maryland Fire Service Personnel Qualifications Board
• Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems
• Maryland Metro Chiefs
• Maryland State Firefighters Association
• Maryland State Police Aviation Command
• Maryland State Professional Firefighters
• National Board on Fire Service Professional Qualifications (Pro Board)
• National Fire Academy
• North American Fire Training Directors
• R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center
The EMT I class helped me gain a greater understanding of how the body reacts to trauma and medical conditions along with the effects of medications. It also helped me gain crucial knowledge and confidence in my skills.
Luis Ramirez, Student
Our gratitude is extended to the University of Maryland, the emergency services organizations, and individuals throughout Maryland that we work with daily to conduct training programs.
The MFRI 2024 Annual Report is produced entirely in-house.
