Wright City Fire Protection District’s Capt. Michael Holtmeier and Assistant Chief Joshua Riebe recently attended and graduated from a course held at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland.Holtmeier and Riebe attended the six-day course which is designed to provide officers with the essential tools and skills to lead and manage a fire district training program. They both are recognized local, regional, and statewide instructors and are now better equipped to handle the numerous challenges a fire officer encounters when developing, planning and executing training exercises.“While these are certainly intensive programs, the officers here have nonetheless shown their true commitment to the safety of our district by attending the National Fire Academy and graduating from their respective courses,” Wright City Fire Chief Ron MacKnight said.He added that members take time away from their families and personal lives to attend either one- or two-week sessions held throughout the year.“It accurately speaks to their professionalism and dedication, I could not be more proud of them,” he said.The recent return of the fire officers from “Challenges for the Local Training Officer” program at the National Emergency Training Center, home of the National Fire Academy, signifies each Wright City Fire Protection District officer, at rank of captain or higher, has now attended on-campus courses at the facility.It is known worldwide by emergency responders for providing state-of-the-art training and educational opportunities. According to the National Fire Academy, less than 2 percent of the nation’s firefighters attend National Fire Academy classes. The Wright City Fire Protection District has a 24 percent attendance rate at the National Fire Academy.The courses are free to attend, requiring only a meal stipend to be purchased by the District.The National Emergency Training Center is the educational arm of FEMA and the Department of Homeland Security and promotes the professional development of the fire and emergency response community and its allied professionals.U.S. Fire Administration