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The Training Division is responsible for our agency's fire, EMS and specialty training as well as community first aid and CPR training.
Training for Success
Training for Success
To ensure the highest level of safety for responders and those we serve, we never stop learning and training. Our Training Division is dedicated to continuously advancing our skills, abilities and standards. Our training philosophy is simple. Operations drives training and we train like we operate. This means our training is informed by our operational needs and performed earnestly.
Our Training Division consists of 4 Training Officers, 1 Administrative Assistant and a Training Chief. We operate a state-of-the-art Fire Training Center with 4 classrooms, 2 immersive learning labs, an auditorium, a drill yard and a 5-story, live fire, multi-discipline training tower. These environments help our responders maintain certifications, hone existing skills and share new skills and advancements across our entire department.
In 2025 our responders averaged 294 hours of training per responder. (For reference, the requirement for an ISO 1 rated agency is 192 hours per responder.) In total, our Training Division delivered 14,517 instructional hours over the course of 2025!
Specialty Trainings
Specialty Trainings
In addition to our recurring trainings and certifications, we typically participate in a number of specialty trainings each year. Here are a few of our unique offerings from 2025.
Let's Clear The Air
Let's Clear The Air
In 2025, Battalion Chief Fountain in conjunction with our Training Division developed and facilitated a large-scale ventilation training. Responders learned both the art and science behind smoke migration and how to ventilate large structures. Watch this video to better understand the skills required to influence smoke travel through complex evacuation routes. Large Scale Ventilation Training Video
Mayday Training
Mayday Training
We constantly train for rescuing fire victims, but in 2025 OPFD crews participated in county-wide Mayday training aimed at rescuing downed firefighters. OPFD Training Officers and Chief Officers not only helped facilitate the training, but helped design the training as well. Working with multiple agencies to locate, extract and care for a fallen firefighter brought home the gravity of the dangers facing first responders.
Crews work to resuscitate a simulated, downed firefighter
Command Performance
Command Performance
2025 marked the beginning of OPFD's Blue Card Training. This training models the communications and tactical standards for fire command employed by much of the fire service. Adopting this model will help our department speak the same language as our neighbors, which will improve interoperability for multi-department response scenes. We started with our Chief Officers and will continue this training throughout our ranks.
Right: Battalion Chief Finazzo co-instructs Blue Card training
High-Rise Symposium
High-Rise Symposium
As we continue to see more high-rise buildings in our communities, we recognize our need to implement the latest strategies and tactics for fighting fire in these high density environments. In 2025, we sent a team to New York City to learn best-practice, high-rise techniques from the fire department with the most high-rise buildings in the country. What we learned will be part of a county-wide training, led by the OPFD in 2026.
Left: FDNY's indoor, high-rise training ground
Community Training
Community Training
In addition to our internal training, we conduct community training as well. One way we help strengthen the "Chain of Survival" is by offering CPR certification to healthcare professionals and Lifesaving classes to the public. Contact us to become a lifesaver, not just a bystander, in an emergency.
We're always looking for amazing people to join our team and help serve our mission. If you want to know more about employment opportunities with the Overland Park Fire Department, visit us at JoinOPFD .
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