Mississippi State Fire Academy planning major upgrades
Aug. 20, 2024 – Mississippi State Fire Academy (MSFA) is set to undergo substantial improvements, supported by approximately $2.2 million in legislative funding. These upgrades will greatly enhance facilities and services, ensuring the Academy continues to provide top-tier training and support to fire service professionals.
“The Mississippi State Fire Academy (MSFA) is the best in the nation and, to continue churning out the best firefighters, we must make improvements to the academy,” said Insurance Commissioner and State Fire Marshal Mike Chaney. “Thanks to our friends in the legislature we have the funding to move forward with these projects. The improvements will benefit the students at the MSFA and will benefit their communities when they return from training.”
Enhanced Burn Training Facilities: Plans are underway to upgrade and replace our primary burn facility training props. We are strategically evaluating potential sources to boost realism, safety, and reliability while reducing maintenance costs and minimizing downtime.
Auditorium Upgrades: Plans are also underway for a new roof and various other enhancements to our main facility for major events. We are currently assessing options to ensure these upgrades provide a more comfortable and functional space for the wide range of activities and events held on campus.
Advanced Management Platform: Our new management platform is nearing completion and is just a couple of months away from going live. This system will streamline internal processes, improve training registration, simplify individual and departmental access to transcripts and certificates, and offer more effective invoicing solutions to align with city and county budgeting.
“We’re committed to building on this momentum to better serve our fire service community. These enhancements are clear examples of our dedication to advancing fire service training. We are grateful for the legislative support that made these improvements possible, particularly the leadership of the House Appropriations Committee, chaired by John Read, and the Senate Appropriations Committee, chaired by Briggs Hopson, in securing the essential funding for these critical projects,” said Kelly Elliott, MSFA Executive Director.
