Missouri State Statute RSMo 320.202 states the State Fire Marshal and the Division of Fire Safety shall be responsible for “the voluntary training of firefighters, investigators, inspectors, and public or private employees or volunteers in the field of emergency response, rescue, fire prevention or preparedness and establishing and maintaining a voluntary training and certification program based upon nationally recognized standards.”

The Division of Fire Safety’s Training and Certification Unit serves as the state’s certification authority and establishes minimum curriculum requirements in accordance with NFPA Professional Qualification Standards. Through the Missouri Fire Safety Advisory Board and the Fire Education Commission, the Division’s Training and Certification Unit works closely with local government agencies, universities, colleges, academies and other training entities in the development and/or delivery of training programs which meet the specific certification requirements for first responder personnel.