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Oklahoma State University and the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation to drive fire service leadership and safety

Oklahoma State University and the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) have signed a memorandum of understanding establishing a strategic partnership focused on strengthening fire service leadership, expanding applied research and improving firefighter safety across the United States.

The agreement brings together Oklahoma State University’s academic expertise in fire and emergency management with the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation’s mission to honor fallen firefighters, support their families and reduce preventable line-of-duty deaths and injuries.

The partnership is designed to strengthen the NFFF Fellowship Program by providing fellows with access to academic mentorship, applied research guidance and faculty support from OSU’s School of Fire, Construction and Emergency Management within the College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology.

“This partnership reflects a shared commitment to translating research into practice and ensuring firefighter safety initiatives are grounded in both real-world experience and academic rigor,” said Haley Murphy, associate professor in the School of Fire, Construction and Emergency Management in the College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology. “Together, OSU and NFFF are creating new pathways for leadership development, evidence-based learning and professional dialogue across the fire service.”

Under the agreement, fellows will complete applied practicums addressing operational challenges within the fire service, with faculty providing academic oversight to ensure projects meet both professional and scholarly standards. The collaboration may also create opportunities for micro-credentialing and other forms of academic recognition for participants who complete fellowship requirements.

“This collaboration creates a unique space where academia and emerging fire service leaders come together with a focused purpose,” said Daniel T. Kistner, director of fire service programs for the NFFF. “It helps prepare fellows to engage with policymakers, regulators and peers while strengthening the connection between research, education and real-world practice.”

The partnership also reinforces ongoing research collaboration between OSU and the NFFF on firefighter leadership, behaviour and organisational culture.

A key example is the Firefighter Behaviors and Viewpoints Survey, a national research initiative examining firefighter perspectives on training, fireground tactics and safety practices. Findings from the project were recently published in the International Fire Service Journal of Leadership and Management, highlighting how academic and industry partnerships can inform operational decision-making and safety protocols.

Murphy was a principal contributor to the survey design, working with national partners to develop and analyse the data.

“When research is intentionally connected to practitioner needs, it becomes a powerful tool for improving safety and leadership,” Kistner said. “This partnership allows us to expand the impact of the Fellowship and ensure lessons learned are shared broadly across the fire service.”

As part of the collaboration, Fire Protection Publications at OSU may also develop a companion publication to the journal to showcase work from NFFF fellows and selected practicum projects, helping distribute applied research findings to both practitioners and scholars.

Future plans may include joint training initiatives, research symposia and presentation opportunities for fellows to engage with fire service leaders, policymakers and researchers.

Leaders from both organisations said the agreement reflects a shared commitment to improving firefighter leadership, safety and survivability while expanding access to evidence-based learning across the profession.

Educational materials, publications and events developed under the partnership may be co-branded to reflect the shared fire service mission of “Until Everyone Goes Home.”

“Until Everyone Goes Home reflects a commitment to honoring fallen firefighters through the relentless pursuit of reducing preventable line-of-duty deaths,” Kistner said. “Partnerships like this help move that work forward by strengthening leadership and expanding how knowledge is shared across the fire service.”

The memorandum of understanding took effect upon final signature and will remain in place for three years, with an option for renewal.