Fire Service
Leadership Academy
Leadership Development Courses designed for the Fire Service
Structured, online courses built for the realities of the job — not the classroom. Developed by a retired Fire Chief with more than 35 years of command experience.
Built for the job. Not for a classroom.
Most leadership training in the fire service is either too generic to be useful or too academic to be applied. These courses were built by someone who has done the job — and they are built the way fire service leaders actually learn.
Fire service specific — all the way through
Every scenario, every example, every framework is built around the firehouse, the command staff room, and the realities of public safety leadership. Nothing has been adapted from the corporate world and repackaged.
Built by someone who has been in the seat
Chief Chris Armstrong spent more than 35 years in operational and executive fire service leadership across two departments and three states. These courses reflect what that experience actually teaches — including what does not work.
You demonstrate competency, not just recall
Every module is built around scenario-based exercises, real firehouse situations, and structured knowledge checks that require application — not just recall. You are not watching a lecture and answering multiple choice questions. You are working through the problems you actually face on the job.
Interactive — not a video lecture
These are fully interactive Rise360 courses delivered on Reach360. Step-by-step sequences, scenario exercises, flashcard sets, knowledge checks, are built into every module. Officers engage with the content — they do not just watch it.
Rank specific — not one-size-fits-all
Each course is built for a specific officer tier. The company officer course does not overlap with the chief officer course. The problems, the language, and the stakes are different at each level — and the courses treat them that way.
Grounded in published doctrine
These courses draw directly from a body of published fire service leadership work — Bugles Don't Make Leaders, Critical Conversations in Fire & EMS, The Thinking Chief Leadership Manual, and Unspoken Rules. The doctrine behind the courses has been field-tested and published.
"The conversation you keep postponing is the one driving the problem. These courses are built on that premise — and on 35 years of watching what happens to organizations and careers when leaders are not ready for the seat they are sitting in."
— Chief Chris Armstrong, retired Fire Chief · Founder, The Thinking Chief Leadership Group
Bulk Enrollment for Fire Departments
Enroll your entire Command Staff
Departments building a structured leadership pipeline can enroll multiple officers at a reduced per-seat rate. You get one enrollment link to share with your team. Each officer registers, works through the course at their own pace, and receives a certificate of completion — all tracked individually through Reach360.
How department enrollment works
Select your course and seat tier and complete checkout on this page
Within 24 hours, you receive a private enrollment link created specifically for your department — it is not a generic shared link
Share the link with your officers. Each one creates a free Reach360 account using their own email address and is automatically enrolled in the course
Each officer works through the course at their own pace. Progress is tracked individually and a certificate of completion is issued when they finish
For departments with 11+ officers
Large group enrollments use roster-based access. You provide us with your officers' names and email addresses, and we send each one a personal invitation directly to their inbox — no link sharing required. Contact us below to get started.
$199 courses (The Thinking Chief & Critical Conversations)
Small Group (up to 5): $169/seat — save $30 per officer
Mid-size Group (up to 10): $149/seat — save $50 per officer
$299 courses (Chief Officer Development, Officer Development & Executive Decision Making)
Small Group (up to 5): $249/seat — save $50 per officer
Mid-size Group (up to 10): $229/seat — save $70 per officer
Large Groups 11+ Officers for All Courses
Custom rate for larger enrollments
Contact us for bulk pricing
Inquire below — typically within one business day
Frequently Asked Questions
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We offer a range of solutions designed to meet your needs—whether you're just getting started or scaling something bigger. Everything is tailored to help you move forward with clarity and confidence.
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Getting started is simple. Reach out through our contact form or schedule a call—we’ll walk you through the next steps and answer any questions along the way.
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We combine a thoughtful, human-centered approach with clear communication and reliable results. It’s not just what we do—it’s how we do it that sets us apart.
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You can reach us anytime via our contact page or email. We aim to respond quickly—usually within one business day.
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We offer flexible pricing based on project type and complexity. After an initial conversation, we’ll provide a transparent quote with no hidden costs.
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Collaborative, honest, and straightforward. We're here to guide the process, bring ideas to the table, and keep things moving.
Have Questions?
We'll review your message and get back to you within 48 hours.