FireLink

I have done most of my leadership training  thru on job training , Military ,and  Fire Training . It dont matter to some ,but others its a wast e of time .

Most area FD's send us off.

I have had it both ways  in house and out of house.  The outside was better because you get to see different ways of thinking ( how other dept's do it)

I have done leadership training inside and outside, mostly outside. The NFA Fire Officer 1.2.3 classes can vary, depending on the instructor, as well as how much effort you put in; it will = what you get out of it. It also helps your resume because it is an actual recognized class. Our department requires it for promotional opportunity, and they will send you to them if you ask to go. There are other classes to take also, you just have to look around your area. I agree with others that GOOD outsided instructors can be better becasue they make you see things from outside your department, or even your area. Where I am at, that is a real good thing (I feel some folks in our area are way too conservative and old school).

Some departments will offer in-house fire officer development, and I taught a small-scale version some years ago. the in-house version has advantages also; 1 - you can tailor the content, 2 - you can focus on what is most important to the department, 3 - it can be department and area specific (like response guidelines, SOP's, municipal ordinances/rules, etc). Let me know if you would like a little more info, maybe I can help.