FireWise Consulting Welcomes Richie Turley as New Director

Apr 7, 2026

FireWise Consulting is entering an exciting new chapter. We are proud to announce the appointment of our new Director, Richie Turley. This leadership transition marks an important step forward in our growth and our long-term commitment to fire and life safety.

This change honours FireWise’s roots while positioning the company for the future. FireWise Consulting was founded in 2008, with Richie’s father, Bob Turley, as a founding partner. From the beginning, the company was built on deep fire-service knowledge, strong relationships, and a commitment to superior customer experience. As Bob shifts his focus toward retirement, this transition ensures that those values continue.

For Richie, stepping into this role is both personal and professional.

“This company reflects my dad’s passion for the fire service and his commitment to doing things the right way,” Richie shared. “I’m excited to carry those traditions forward and help FireWise continue to grow.”

Meet Richie Turley

While new to fire safety as a profession, Richie Turley brings a strong business and leadership background to FireWise from his extensive career in commercial banking. For many years, he worked closely with local businesses, helping them access financing. That role provided firsthand insight into how critical strong processes and clear data are to long-term success.

Richie has worked alongside FireWise CEO Ernie Polsom for more than five years and has deep respect for his collaborative leadership and commitment to the fire service. That shared experience has helped shape a strong working relationship built on trust and alignment. Both leaders share a commitment to the beneficial corporation movement, which is formally embedded in FireWise’s articles of incorporation.

In his role at FireWise, Richie will help strengthen how programs are delivered and supported. Technology will play a larger role in curriculum development, course functionality, and learner experience, ensuring FireWise continues to offer accessible, cost-effective online training while expanding its reach.

For Richie, this role marks an important next chapter.

“It’s a meaningful opportunity to continue my dad’s work and take on entrepreneurship in a way that aligns with my values.”

What This Means for Fire Services

This transition brings stability and a clear, growth-focused strategy. Most importantly, FireWise remains focused on creating winning conditions for fire departments: helping stretch training budgets, reduce time away from shifts, and standardize competencies across teams.

As Richie puts it, “Our goal is to create real value for our customers. Training should be accessible, engaging, and informative, while our advisory services must deliver practical, effective solutions. By working together and removing barriers, we can maintain a strong customer experience.”

In Closing

FireWise Consulting remains fully committed to delivering high-quality training and consulting services. Our subject matter experts continue to develop new courses for the FireWise Learning Academy. Our student services team supports learners every step of the way, and our consultants remain actively engaged with stakeholders across North America.

This new chapter strengthens our foundation so we can continue doing what matters most: helping fire safety professionals protect people, property, and communities.

Thank you to our clients, partners, and the fire service community for your continued trust. If you have questions about this transition or upcoming work, our team is always happy to connect. We look forward to continuing our work together.

What’s the Difference Between Fire Service Courses and Professional Certification?

Feb 25, 2026

Quick Answer: Fire service training provides knowledge, but professional certification (Pro Board or IFSAC) verifies competency against NFPA Job Performance Requirements (JPRs). Certification demonstrates that a fire professional can perform the job to a recognized standard, while training alone does not.

Competency, Credibility, and Consequence in Fire Prevention and Investigation

Across Canada, fire inspectors and fire investigators are increasingly expected to demonstrate more than familiarity with codes and legislation. Courts, insurers, employers, and the public now expect verifiable professional competence, not simply proof of course attendance.

In British Columbia and Alberta, provincial authorities offer non-accredited courses that provide useful regulatory context and local administrative insight. These programs serve an important role and reflect some aspects of the referenced NFPA standards. However, they are not eligible for Pro Board or IFSAC certification and do not formally assess job performance or integrate theory with practical application. This distinction matters.

As fire prevention and investigation work becomes more complex and more scrutinized, the difference between training and professional qualification has real implications for individuals and the organizations that rely on them.

Are Provincial Fire Courses Enough?

Non-accredited provincial courses are typically designed to support minimum regulatory compliance. Their strengths are clear.

They are accessible, relatively affordable, and closely aligned with provincial legislation and administrative practice. For those new to a role, they provide valuable orientation to local processes, expectations, and enforcement environments. In smaller or resource-constrained departments, these courses may be the most immediately attainable option.

Used appropriately, provincial courses function well as introductory or supplemental education.

What they don’t do, however, is establish or validate professional competence.

Why Pro Board or IFSAC Certification Matters

The primary limitation of non-accredited training is not quality; it is scope and intent.

These courses are generally knowledge-based rather than competency-based. They reflect outdated learning models derived from classroom instruction, even where available, with limited or no formal assessment of JPRs. Learners may understand what the code requires, but are not required to demonstrate that they can consistently apply that knowledge in real-world conditions.

Because these programs are not aligned with NFPA professional qualification standards, they do not support Pro Board or IFSAC certification. As a result, credentials are not portable between jurisdictions and carry limited weight outside the issuing authority.

For fire professionals, this can restrict career mobility and professional credibility. For organizations, it introduces risk. Particularly when inspection decisions, enforcement actions, or investigative findings are challenged.

When Should Fire Professionals Pursue Accredited Programs?

Accredited, NFPA-aligned programs are designed around a different premise: competence must be demonstrated, assessed, and documented.

These programs integrate theory with applied learning, scenario-based decision-making, practical skill evaluation, and defensible documentation. Written and practical assessments are structured, validated, and mapped directly to NFPA JPRs.

The outcome is not simply course completion, but verified capability.

For employers, this provides a defensible basis for assigning authority and responsibility. For professionals, it establishes credentials that are recognized nationally and internationally, supporting mobility, advancement, and credibility in high-stakes environments.

What Are the Risks of Non-Accredited Training?

Fire prevention and investigation activities increasingly intersect with legal proceedings, insurance claims, regulatory appeals, and public accountability. In these contexts, informal or jurisdiction-specific training is rarely sufficient.

Organizations must be able to demonstrate due diligence in how personnel are trained, qualified, and authorized. Individuals must be able to show that their decisions are grounded in recognized standards and validated competence. Not just experience or attendance certificates.

It is in this area where the consequences of training choices become evident.

A Complementary, Not Competing, Model

This is not an argument for abandoning provincial training. Rather, it is a call for clarity of purpose.

Provincial courses are well-suited for:

• Regulatory orientation
• Local code interpretation
• Continuing education and updates

Accredited, competency-based programs are essential for:

• Establishing a professional qualification
• Managing organizational and legal risk
• Supporting career progression and workforce sustainability

Key differences between training and professional certification:

When these roles are understood and applied deliberately, they complement one another.

The Bottom Line

In a profession defined by public trust and high consequence, training alone is no longer enough.

Fire professionals and the organizations that employ them must distinguish between learning about the job and being demonstrably qualified to do it. Accredited, competency-based education aligned with recognized professional standards provides that assurance, while appropriately used non-accredited training remains a valuable but limited tool.

Competency builds credibility. Credibility reduces risk. And in fire prevention and investigation, the consequences of getting this wrong are too high to ignore.

If your department is considering accredited, NFPA-aligned training, FireWise delivers programs aligned with NFPA 1030 (Fire Inspector and First Responder Inspector) and NFPA 1033 (Fire Investigator). Pro Board® certification is issued through the College of the Rockies.

Author

Ernie Polsom is CEO of FireWise Consulting Ltd., focused on supporting fire prevention and investigation professionals through competency-based education aligned with recognized professional standards. Connect with Ernie on LinkedIn.

What It Takes To Become an Oklahoma Fire Marshal

Dec 8, 2025

Becoming an Oklahoma Fire Marshal is a professional milestone that demonstrates your understanding of fire prevention, investigation, community risk, and leadership at a high level. The Fire Marshals Association of Oklahoma (FMAO) has set clear minimum standards so that anyone holding the title can meet the expectations of their community and their organization.

This article walks through what those requirements look like, why they matter for public safety, and how training can help you get there.

Understanding the Oklahoma Fire Marshal Role

A Fire Marshal plays a central role in protecting communities through fire prevention, code enforcement, public education and oversight of investigation work. The position requires a strong understanding of how buildings function, how risks develop, and how to apply fire and life safety codes consistently and fairly.

The FMAO bases its certification expectations on the job performance requirements historically outlined in NFPA 1037. While these responsibilities now fall under the consolidated NFPA 1030 standard, the core expectations remain the same: Fire Marshals must be able to manage prevention programs, lead inspection and enforcement efforts, support origin and cause investigations, and guide public education and community risk reduction. Mentioning the consolidation is useful for clarity, but the practical work of the Fire Marshal has not changed. Only the document that houses the standard has.

Understanding the Fire Marshal role helps clarify why Oklahoma has established such detailed certification requirements. The responsibilities are wide-reaching, and the decisions made by Fire Marshals influence everything from development planning to emergency response readiness.

Minimum Requirements for an Oklahoma Fire Marshal Certification

Oklahoma has a formal credentialing process managed by the FMAO. Fire Marshal certification is offered at two levels: Basic Fire Marshal and Advanced Fire Marshal.

Basic Fire Marshal

To earn Basic Fire Marshal certification, applicants must hold at least four approved credentials, reviewed by the FMAO Credentialing Committee. These options include:

• Instructor I certification (IFSAC or Pro Board)
• Fire Investigator training through the National Fire Academy or IFSAC/Pro Board
• Fire Inspector I certification through IFSAC, Pro Board, or ICC (aligned with the new NFPA 1030 Fire Inspector standard)
• Fire and Life Safety Educator I
• At least two Community Risk Reduction self-study courses from the National Fire Academy
• Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training (CLEET) or an equivalent certification

This structure recognizes that Oklahoma Fire Marshals need both a broad skill set and formal, accredited training.

Advanced Fire Marshal

Advanced Fire Marshal certification builds on the Basic level. Candidates must first meet all Basic requirements, then hold at least four higher-level credentials. These include:

• Documented CRR continuing education over four years
• Fire Plans Examiner certification
• Fire Officer III or a bachelor’s degree in a related field
• Fire Inspector II (again aligned with NFPA 1030)
• Meeting the requirements to test as a Certified Fire Investigator, linked to NFPA 1033
• At least four years in a fire prevention division plus 60 college credit hours, including Fire Science or Criminal Justice coursework

Reaching the Advanced level demonstrates a Fire Marshal’s ability to work confidently with complex code issues while also shaping broader prevention strategies that keep communities safer.

Why Accredited Training Matters for Oklahoma Fire Marshals

The FMAO accepts certifications from recognized bodies such as IFSAC, Pro Board, and ICC. These organizations accredit entities that test individuals against national standards like NFPA 1030 and 1033.

For example, Pro Board describes its accreditation as a “gold standard” of third-party assessment, confirming that a certification program truly measures candidates against the relevant NFPA standard.

For Oklahoma agencies, this has real benefits:

• You can trust that Fire Marshal candidates have been evaluated against the same national benchmarks.
• Certifications are recognized across the country, making them valuable for mutual aid work and regional fire service collaboration.
• It becomes easier to build a training and promotion framework inside your department that lines up with FMAO expectations.

The need for high-quality, accredited training is highlighted by Oklahoma’s fire-service realities. In 2023, the U.S. Fire Administration reported that 400 Oklahoma fire departments submitted NFIRS data. Fire casualties in the state averaged 2.6 deaths and 2.7 injuries per 1,000 fires, compared to national averages of 2.1 deaths and 6.4 injuries.

On top of that, around 80% of Oklahoma fire departments are entirely volunteer, which puts extra pressure on training systems to be accessible and efficient, when volunteers juggle day jobs, family responsibilities, and training hours, online and blended options become essential for building a Fire Marshal pipeline.

How To Prepare for Fire Marshal Certification in Oklahoma

If you are an Oklahoma fire professional thinking about the Fire Marshal path, it helps to see it as a planned progression rather than a single step.

1. Map Your Current Certifications

Start by comparing your current certifications and experience against the FMAO Basic Fire Marshal criteria. Ask yourself:

• Do I already hold Instructor I, Fire Inspector I, or Fire Investigator training?
• Have I completed any National Fire Academy CRR self-study courses?
• Do I have any law-enforcement related training such as CLEET or equivalent?

This will show you which “four of the list” you already meet and where the gaps are.

2. Plan NFPA-Aligned Training

Next, identify NFPA-aligned training that fills those gaps. Many professionals will focus on:

• NFPA 1030 Fire Inspector (IFSAC, Pro Board, or ICC)
• NFPA 1033 Fire Investigation training
• Fire and Life Safety Educator I and CRR coursework
• Higher-level leadership or degree pathways if Advanced certification is a long-term goal

Online, self-paced courses play a big role here, especially for rural or volunteer-heavy departments that struggle with travel and backfill.

3. Build Experience and Documentation

FMAO requires not just certificates, but also proof of time in a fire prevention division and relevant college hours at the Advanced level. Keeping accurate training logs, transcripts, and position descriptions will make your application smoother when you are ready to submit.

Bringing It All Together

Becoming a Fire Marshal in Oklahoma means much more than meeting a checklist. It is about building a broad and deep foundation in inspection, investigation, risk reduction, education, and leadership, supported by national standards.

In a state where most departments rely on volunteers and where hundreds of agencies contribute to the fire-safety picture, consistent, accredited training and clear minimum standards help keep communities safer.

If your next step is to move toward Fire Marshal certification, the most important thing you can do now is to understand the standards, plan your training around NFPA-aligned, accredited courses, and start documenting your experience. The work you do today in inspection, investigation, and community risk reduction is already part of what it takes to become a Fire Marshal in Oklahoma.

At FireWise, our Pro Board-accredited Fire Inspector (NFPA 1030) and Fire Investigation Origin & Cause (NFPA 1033) programs are designed to help you build the skills and qualifications needed for fire inspection, investigation, and prevention.

Ready to plan your pathway? Get in touch with our team today.

Q&A: NFPA 1030 Updates

Apr 29, 2025

Hot Summer Nights: Bringing Fire Departments Closer to the Community

Jun 8, 2023

Hot Summer Nights: Bringing Fire Departments Closer to the Community

Engaging with the community is an important aspect of a fire department’s work, and one initiative that has proven to be successful in building these connections is the Hot Summer Nights program. This program, led by Fire Chief Michael Van Dop and the Maple Ridge Fire Department, has been running for over 25 years and has become a highly anticipated event in the community. In this article, we will explore the origins of Hot Summer Nights, its growth over the years, and its impact on both the community and the firefighters involved.

Maple Ridge Fire Department

We had the privilege of sitting down with Chief Van Dop to discuss the importance of this initiative and its many benefits for the fire department and the communities they serve. As part of our commitment to assisting communities, FireWise is actively engaged in completing a Fire Department Master Plan in collaboration with the Maple Ridge Fire Department. Chief Van Dop emphasized the importance of strategic planning in this endeavour, stating, “We must get this right to ensure the fire department’s ability to meet current community needs while anticipating future growth.”

Maple Ridge, a thriving community, is projected to welcome over 40,000 new residents in the next decade and beyond. Recognizing this impending growth, Chief Van Dop stressed the importance for the fire department to act purposefully and to fulfil the city’s expectations now and in the future. He emphasized the need to proactively consider the potential impact of this growth and position the fire department for success.

Chief Van Dop’s vision for the Fire Department has various aspects, as he expressed, “We need to be intentional about our actions as a fire department and as part of the entire corporation. By doing so, we not only meet the city’s present needs but also lay a solid foundation to accommodate future demands.”

How Hot Summer Nights Connects the Community

What originally started to engage the community and to ensure rapid response times by having the volunteer firefighters on duty during the event, the initiative quickly gained traction. It started with a single fire truck visiting neighbourhoods, spraying water, and generating excitement among children. However, over time, it has evolved into a much greater community event that the entire city looks forward to.

Expansion and Collaboration

Today, the Hot Summer Nights program spans four to five weeks during the hottest period of the summer, typically from mid-July to mid-August. With the growth of the Maple Ridge Fire Department, the initiative has expanded to take place in multiple neighbourhoods at one time. The event has also seen collaboration with other city departments, such as Parks, Recreation, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).

Engaging Activities

Hot Summer Nights is not just about spraying water and having fun; it offers an opportunity for different departments to engage with the community and provide valuable information. During the events, families can enjoy activities such as touring RCMP cruisers and excavators from Public Works and enjoying treats from food trucks. Fire Chief Van Dop emphasizes that these activities can also serve as natural conversation starters, allowing firefighters to discuss recruitment efforts and other community initiatives. It’s a chance to break down barriers and create a more human connection with residents.

Fire Chief Van Dop expresses, “At the end of it, you’ll see kids shivering, not wanting to go and not wanting to stop.” He also emphasizes that firefighters wholeheartedly participate as well by saying, “Let’s just say the firefighters aren’t shy about getting wet themselves. We always make a point of making sure that the firefighters are equally enjoying themselves.”

Building Relationships

The impact of the Hot Summer Nights program goes beyond a single event. It builds a sense of community and brings neighbours closer to one another. Families plan their Wednesday nights around the event, hosting pizza dinners for the neighbourhood before the fire trucks arrive. As a result, those who may have been strangers become familiar faces, creating lasting relationships within the community. Firefighters also have the opportunity to involve their own families. Chief Van Dop describes this by stating, “It’s heart-warming. The feeling that you have when you attend one of these is great. The kids and families are all having a blast.”

Inspiring Other Fire Departments

The success of the Hot Summer Nights initiative has not gone unnoticed. Chief Van Dop mentions that they have shared the program with other fire departments, and some have adopted similar initiatives. The key to success lies in adapting the program to the specific needs and resources of each community. While the scale may vary, the spirit of bringing firefighters closer to the community remains the driving force behind these programs.

Conclusion

The Hot Summer Nights initiative led by Fire Chief Van Dop and the Maple Ridge Fire Department exemplifies the importance of community engagement for fire departments. Through a simple idea that began over 25 years ago, the program has evolved into a community event that people look forward to year-round. It not only provides a platform for fun and excitement for children but also serves as an opportunity to build connections between firefighters and residents.

By expanding the initiative and collaborating with other city departments, Hot Summer Nights has become a heart-warming experience that strengthens the Maple Ridge community. As additional fire departments adopt similar programs, the Hot Summer Nights initiative continues demonstrating the impact of connecting with the community.

If your department wants to share information about fire prevention programs that have been successful in your community, don’t hesitate to get in touch with Vraya Forrest at vraya@firewiseconsulting.com to arrange an interview.

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