Wright City Fire Protection District Chief Ron MacKnight has completed the executive fire officer program, a training program provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s U.S. Fire …
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Wright City Fire Protection District Chief Ron MacKnight has completed the executive fire officer program, a training program provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s U.S. Fire Administration’s National Fire Academy.
“The intensive (program) is designed to provide fire officers with a broad perspective on various facets of fire administration,” said Denis G. Onieal, acting U.S. Fire Administrator. “This program provides fire service officers with the expertise they need to succeed in today’s challenging environment.”
MacKnight holds a bachelors’s degree and a master’s degree. He said he signed on for this program because he wanted advanced knowledge in his field.
The program consists of four courses: executive development, executive analysis of community risk reduction, executive analysis of fire services operation in emergency management and executive leadership.
The program is a four-year commitment. Classes are held in Maryland for two consecutive weeks each year, but the work continues at home.
“They give you six to eight months to write the research paper,” MacKnight said.
After completion of each course, participants complete a written applied research project. The research paper shows how the students apply what they’ve learned to real-life situations they would encounter in their organizations. Each project was evaluated through a formal process and required to move on to the next segment of the program.
MacKnight said his first two research papers were about strategic planning including looking at where the district is and where it needs to be. His third paper asked: How ready is Warren County for a disaster?
His final paper asked: Are there benefits to consolidating the Wright City and Warrenton Fire Protection districts?
His answer is, “There is enough reason to support a detailed study.”
The idea has been talked about but no other steps have been taken.
MacKnight said it was hard work, and worth it.
“I built meaningful and lasting relationships from around the country and a good support base,” he said.
He added that his four-year education benefits the district and the community.
“These classes help us get ready for changes that are coming (in emergency response), because they’re coming whether we like it or not.”
He said he feels honored to lead the team and the district with a higher level of knowledge.
Wright City Fire Chief Ron MacKnight
