Classes at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland are resuming, after massive pushback from a bipartisan group of elected officials and first responders from across the country to the Trump Administration’s decision to halt trainings there.
In March, U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Maryland) and US. Rep. April McClain Delaney (D-Maryland) led a bipartisan, bicameral letter with over 60 of their colleagues, including U.S. Sen. Angela Alsobrooks (D-Maryland), demanding answers.
“The National Fire Academy, based in Emmitsburg, provides critical training to first responders across the country – ensuring our firefighters have the tools they need to save lives,” Van Hollen said. “The Trump Administration’s decision to abruptly cancel these classes made no sense – and what’s more, it risked significant harm to our communities and those who protect them. While the good work done by the men and women National Fire Academy never should have been halted, I’m glad to see the Administration has heeded our calls to lift this senseless ban.”
Van Hollen had recently questioned Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem about why there had been no response to his letter, and she expressed surprise. She said she thought she had sent a response and that the decision had been reversed.
“Yeah, I believe we did respond – even if it may have just been recently to you – but those grants and programs are being facilitated, and those dollars will be forwarded,” Noem said in the hearing. “So, that is something that if I didn’t get that back to you, we will get it to you within 24 hours.”
That appears to be the case, as Rep. McClain Delaney said training classes are resuming immediately.
“Despite receiving no response from the Trump Administration to our letter objecting to the senseless cancellation of training classes at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, MD, I am happy to share that programming will be resuming immediately for dedicated fire fighters and first responders from around the nation!” McClain Delaney said. “The rash decision to close the academy wasted valuable resources and undermined our communities’ safety, resilience, and response efforts. Thank you to Senator Van Hollen and dozens of our Congressional colleagues for joining in the fight to preserve the important mission of the National Fire Academy and the need for educational resources for our first responders.”
Even though the small town of Emmitsburg voted overwhelmingly for Donald Trump in 2024, and people interviewed there were in favor of cutting federal spending, they could not understand why something as vital to the nation’s safety as the National Fire Academy would be on the list of cuts. The National Fire Academy trains more than 100,000 emergency personnel each year, many in person at their Emmitsburg campus.
“Firefighters save lives, and that’s exactly what the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg trains them to do,” Alsobrooks said. “The Trump Administration’s decision to cancel these classes was as baffling as it was foolish. I worked with Senator Van Hollen and Representative McClain Delaney to push the President to reverse this callous decision on behalf of the firefighters who train there and the people in the community they keep safe. Our efforts came to fruition with today’s announcement that the ban has been lifted. I will always stand up for the brave men and women at the National Fire Academy.”
