Maine Fire Service Institute

10/15/2026

MFSI Training Across Maine – Waterville Fire Rescue

This week in the Elm City of Waterville, MFSI Senior State Fire Instructors Eric Watson, Cory Wyman and Tim Hardy worked alongside members of Waterville Fire Rescue conducting Basic Pump Operations training.
We sincerely thank the good folks at Waterville Fire Rescue for welcoming our instructors and providing the opportunity to strengthen the knowledge, skills, and confidence of their members.
Training like this is an important part of ensuring our firefighters are prepared, capable, and ready to serve their communities when the alarm sounds.

Our appreciation goes out to everyone who helped make this training possible. Your commitment to professional development and firefighter readiness makes a difference.
Train hard, stay safe, and thank you for all that you do!

10/13/2026

Fire & Emergency Services Instructor III – Advanced Leadership in Fire Service Training. MFSI has partnered with RAFT to offer this program to Maine Fire Service Professionals.

This program is not designed for every fire service instructor. It is specifically intended for experienced Fire Instructor II professionals who currently lead, manage, develop, or oversee fire department training programs, or who are preparing to assume those responsibilities.

Instructor III goes beyond teaching in the classroom. It focuses on training program administration, curriculum development, instructor supervision and mentorship, policy development, budgeting, and program evaluation.

Participants will be challenged to develop and defend a comprehensive training project that addresses a real organizational need.

This is a professional development opportunity for those responsible for leading fire service training, improving instructional quality, and preparing the next generation of firefighters and instructors.

Are you ready to take your instructional leadership to the next level?

10/06/2026

🔥 Fire Investigator Training Opportunity
The Maine Chapter of the International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI) is presenting:
Technology for the Fire Investigator: No Tech, Low Tech, and High Tech
📅 November 13, 2026
📍 Maine Public Safety Building, 45 Commerce Drive, Augusta
🎤 Instructor: Robert Toth, IAAI-CFI
This one-day program will explore practical technology available to today’s fire investigator—from simple, inexpensive tools to emerging high-tech applications. Topics include scene documentation, photography, measurements, evidence examination, and incorporating technology into a systematic fire investigation.
Cost: $50 Maine Chapter members | $60 non-members
Lunch provided. Registration begins at 8:30 AM; class begins at 9:00 AM.
A great professional development opportunity for Maine’s fire investigators, fire officers, and fire service professionals interested in fire investigation.

10/05/2026

https://www.fireengineering.com/fire-safety/lithium-ion-battery-fires-what-every-firefighter-needs-to-know-now/?fbclid=IwZnRzaAUw3UpleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBwZG9mAWZkaWQWUPuG2KRIuwry2Iswl1B4N0pwfkh_EnNydGMGYXBwX2lkCjY2Mjg1NjgzNzkAAR6oFv0HOWeWvhPK7WxNqQn6odCa-WqrpyqihtusaiU0HRR4VIPI4Zflbbk-Jg_aem_1aO7cDSBMLCSb47wC4QZzg

By Adam Barowy and Nicole Sauders Lithium-ion battery technology is evolving rapidly, outpacing fire service protocols for managing related fires.Billions

10/03/2026

That’s a Wrap — 2026 Live Fire Instructor / Instructor-in-Charge Program

That’s a wrap! The 2026 MFSI Live Fire Instructor / Instructor-in-Charge Program is officially in the books.

Congratulations to all of the fire service professionals who successfully completed this demanding program. Their commitment began with orientation in September, followed by several weeks of online coursework and preparation before reporting for the intensive hands-on portion of the program last Wednesday.

Candidates completed two full days of classroom instruction, followed by two days of live fire operations, where they rotated through the critical roles and responsibilities associated with serving as both a Live Fire Instructor and Live Fire Instructor-in-Charge.

This program is about far more than conducting live fire evolutions. It is about developing instructors who understand the tremendous responsibility that comes with live fire training—planning, risk management, accountability, communications, documentation, decision-making, and the protection of every firefighter participating in an evolution.

Candidates were challenged to make decisions and perform their responsibilities in a manner that can withstand the scrutiny that may follow should an injury, near miss, or other significant incident occur during live fire training.

MFSI extends a sincere and humble thank you to the City of Bangor Fire Department and the City of Brewer Fire Department for opening their doors, providing facilities and resources, and helping make this program possible. Partnerships like these are essential to providing high-quality fire service training throughout Maine.

10/02/2026

Live Burn Day at MFSI!
🔥
Today, the Maine Fire Service Institute is putting training into action at the Bangor Live Fire Training Facility as candidates take part in the real-world field exercises of the Live Fire Instructor / Instructor-in-Charge Program.

This is where classroom knowledge meets the fireground—planning, leadership, communication, accountability, risk management, and sound decision-making all come together under realistic live fire conditions.

Our candidates and MFSI instructional team are working hard to ensure Maine's fire service has highly trained, safety-focused leaders prepared to conduct live fire training responsibly and professionally.

Fire training at its very best—right here in Maine.
🔥 Train. Prepare. Lead. Make a Difference.
Maine Fire Service — Stronger Together.

09/30/2026

LIVE FIRE INSTRUCTOR / INSTRUCTOR IN-CHARGE PROGRAM — UNDERWAY! 🔥
MFSI has officially kicked off the Live Fire Instructor/Instructor In-Charge Program in Brewer, with live-fire evolutions being conducted at the Bangor Fire Training Facility.
We want to thank all of the candidates who have committed their time and energy to this demanding professional development program. Our hope is that each of you gets as much out of this experience as the dedicated instructors and fire service professionals who worked so hard to build and develop it.
Live-fire training carries tremendous responsibility. The knowledge, leadership, and safety practices developed through this program will ultimately benefit not only these instructors, but the firefighters and departments they will serve throughout Maine.
Best of luck to every candidate. Learn from one another, take care of one another, and above all — be safe.
Maine’s Fire Service — Stronger Together. 🔥🇺🇸

09/29/2026

Enhanced Real-World Fire Officer Training

MFSI was honored to welcome Chief Chad Johnston of the City of Portland Fire Department as a guest speaker at our Oxford County Fire Officer I Program.

Chief Johnston spoke with students about the real-world importance of Community Risk Reduction (CRR) and the lessons that followed the tragic Noyes Street fire in Portland on November 1, 2014.

Chief Johnston brought a powerful personal perspective to the classroom. Assigned to a ladder company on the day of the fire, he was able to share his firsthand experience while connecting the lessons of that tragedy to the responsibilities of today's fire officers.

Most importantly, Chief Johnston challenged our students to think beyond emergency response and consider how Maine's fire service can develop and strengthen Community Risk Reduction plans and programs within our communities. The goal is not simply to respond effectively when tragedy occurs, but to identify risks, educate our communities, and take meaningful steps to prevent tragedies before they happen.

This is what enhanced Fire Officer training should look like: combining the classroom with real-world experience and lessons learned from those who have lived it.

MFSI is extremely appreciative of Chief Johnston for sharing his experience, knowledge, and leadership with our students. Having respected Maine fire service professionals willing to invest in the next generation of fire officers makes our programs, and Maine's fire service, stronger. We are proud of each of the candidates for their commitment to improving self, department and community.

Maine Fire Service — Stronger Together.

09/26/2026

Fall 2026 programs are underway. Fire Instructor I & II in Augusta and Rockland with Fire Officer I programs in Oxford and Farmington. The Live Fire Instructor program class and burns start this week. Busy times before winter sets in. Future programs are being planned and the course fliers will be out in mid November. Stay safe and good luck to all the candidates. Special thanks to all that support MFSI to get these programs in the field.