2026 Fire Officer Development Program – Pensacola Beach, Florida
January 5 – 9, 2026
A 40-hour national & international Fire Officer Development Program built on FDIC-level instruction and the 850’s mission-focused training culture—delivered on the Gulf Coast waterfront.
Register TodayBuilt for Today’s Fire Officer in the Heart of the 850 Training Corridor
The 2026 Fire Officer Development Program (ODP) is a five-day, 40-hour immersive officer development experience for firefighters, company officers, and chief officers who want to lead with clarity on the modern fireground. Hosted on Pensacola Beach, this program sits in the center of Florida’s 850 region—home to NAS Pensacola, NAS Whiting Field, Eglin Air Force Base, Hurlburt Field, Duke Field, Tyndall Air Force Base, Camp Rudder, and multiple Space Force assets.
Just as the military trains operators to perform in every environment around the world, ODP trains fire officers to operate across Urban, Suburban, Rural, and Peri-Urban Areas of Fireground Operation. Attendees travel from across the United States as well as Canada, Germany, the United Kingdom, Mexico, the Caribbean, and South America to learn in this unique beachfront and military-influenced training environment.
ODP 2026 blends leadership development, strategy, tactics, and command simulations into a single, structured officer program that prepares you for the next level of responsibility.
Mission-Focused Curriculum
Leadership, strategy, tactics, and command designed for all ranks from Firefighter to Chief.
40 Hours, 5 Days
A complete officer development program that blends lecture, discussion, and command simulations.
National & International
Attendees from across the U.S., Canada, Europe, Mexico, the Caribbean, and South America.
Certificate & 40 CEUs
100% attendance required. CEUs available through the Florida State Fire College.
Train for Every Area of Fireground Operation
Modeled after the 850’s military mindset, the Officer Development Program prepares fire officers to lead in Urban, Suburban, Rural, and Peri-Urban (Rurban) environments—anywhere they may be deployed.
Urban Operations
High density, high-rise and mid-rise structures, complex vertical challenges, and heavy fire loads. ODP reinforces standpipe strategy, vertical water supply, high-rise command, and disciplined communications in congested settings.
Suburban Operations
Mixed single-family, garden apartments, and commercial strips with variable staffing. ODP focuses on coordinated fire attack, flexible water supply, rapid assignments, and clear command in dynamic suburban districts.
Rural Operations
Limited manpower, long response distances, tanker shuttles, drafting, and extended operations. Officers learn to identify priorities early, build effective mutual aid plans, and manage long-duration incidents with limited resources.
Peri-Urban (Rurban) Operations
The interface where city meets countryside—WUI elements, lightweight construction, commercial sprawl, and multi-agency response. ODP prepares officers to coordinate risk, adapt tactics, and lead in these evolving environments.
Why the 2026 Fire Officer Development Program Stands Apart
- FDIC-level instructors with national and international reputations.
- Real-world command lessons from some of the most respected fire departments in North America.
- National & international attendees from South America, the Caribbean, Mexico, Canada, Germany, and the UK.
- 40 hours of structured leadership, strategy, tactics, and communication training.
- Command simulations that mirror real fireground pressure and time-compressed decisions.
- Training culture shaped by Florida’s 850 military corridor and its focus on readiness and performance.
- Beachfront environment ideal for focused learning, networking, and long-term professional relationships.
Program Details & Requirements
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Dress Code: First day Class A (or Class B/button-up). Rest of week: business casual.
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Accountability: Name tag worn daily.
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Attendance: 40-hour program. 100% attendance for certificate.
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Schedule: Mon–Fri, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM. Check-in Sun, Jan 4, 2026 at 4:00 PM.
Your 2026 ODP Instructors
Get face-to-face access to fire service leaders and FDIC-level instructors delivering leadership, strategy, tactics, and command lessons shaped by real experience on urban, suburban, rural, and rurban firegrounds.
Candace Ashby
Batt Chief, Indianapolis, IN
What You Will Learn in the 2026 Officer Development Program
Leadership & People Development
- Building and sustaining strong firehouse culture.
- Developing future company officers and informal leaders.
- Conflict resolution, coaching, and honest communication.
- Leading under pressure during high-consequence events.
- Understanding and influencing organizational behavior.
Fireground Command & Strategy
- Initial and ongoing size-up, risk profiling, and priorities.
- Developing and communicating effective incident action plans.
- Resource allocation, company assignments, and coordination.
- Managing multi-company and multi-alarm incidents.
- Command presence, clarity, and disciplined communications.
Tactics & Operational Proficiency
- Water supply & flow considerations across all environments.
- Coordinated fire attack, search, ventilation, and support functions.
- Search leadership, victim profiling, and rescue prioritization.
- Truck company support and functional integration.
- Understanding timing and tempo on the modern fireground.
Beachfront Experience & Professional Networking
The classroom is only half of what you get at ODP. The other half happens in the hallway, on the boardwalk, and at nightly meet & greets—where firefighters, company officers, and chief officers from across the country and around the world compare notes, share lessons, and build relationships that last for years.
Nightly Meet & Greets
Structured but relaxed evening socials within walking distance of the Hilton where you can debrief the day, ask follow-up questions, and connect with officers facing the same challenges you are back home.
Access to Instructors
Instructors don’t disappear after class. You’ll see them at breakfast, lunch, and evening events, creating real opportunities for one-on-one conversations, mentoring, and deeper discussion.
Peer Network for Life
Build a network of firefighters, officers, and chiefs from urban, suburban, rural, and peri-urban departments— people you can call later for policy examples, tactical feedback, or career advice.
Beachfront Reset Between Reps
Pensacola Beach gives you space to reset between heavy leadership and command discussions so you can return home charged up instead of burned out, ready to implement what you learned.
Registration Investment
Seating is limited and departments often send multiple officers. Secure your spot now so your organization has a bench of prepared leaders ready for the next promotion, the next alarm, and the next big decision.
What's Included:
Stay Beachfront & Train in the 850
The Hilton, Pensacola Beach
12 Via De Luna Dr, Pensacola Beach, FL 32561Beachfront hotel with gulf views, pools, and spacious rooms where you can reset between full days of officer development.
Free Airport Transportation
County Fire Tactics provides FREE ground transportation between Pensacola Airport (PNS) and the Hilton for ODP attendees.
- Arrivals (Sun, Jan 4): Outside Baggage Claim 3, 11:00 AM–7:00 PM.
- Departures (Sat, Jan 10): From Hilton lobby, 3:30 AM–1:00 PM.
- Shuttle registration opens one week before ODP.
Train in the 850: Military Heritage & Fire Service Brotherhood
Northwest Florida’s 850 is home to some of the most elite military training environments in the world. From Naval Air Station Pensacola—known as the “Cradle of Naval Aviation” and home of the Blue Angels—to the Eglin Air Force Base weapons test ranges and the Air Force Armament Museum, this coastline is built on preparing operators to perform under pressure.
Professional Networking & Beachfront Experience
County Fire Tactics mirrors that same operator mindset for firefighters, fire officers, and chief officers from across the U.S., Canada, the Caribbean, Mexico, South America, and Europe. You’re not just sitting in a classroom—you’re training alongside peers who command urban, suburban, rural, and wildland–urban interface operations back home.
- Nightly Meet & Greets: Beachfront socials every evening where officers and instructors break down the day’s lessons, share experience, and trade solutions that don’t always make it into the slide deck.
- Access to Presenters: No velvet ropes, no VIP room. You’ll see your instructors at breakfast, in the lobby, and on the boardwalk—perfect for asking follow-up questions and building real mentoring relationships.
- Beachfront Reset: Step out of the ballrooms and onto the sand between sessions. The gulf views, morning walks, and evening sunsets help you decompress so you can hit the next day clear-headed and focused.
- Honoring Service: Many of our attendees and instructors are veterans or currently serving in the Guard and Reserve. We recognize that experience, and ODP becomes a natural bridge between military leadership and the modern American fireground.
Arrive Early, Stay Late: Explore 850 Military History
If you’re arriving a day early or staying through the weekend, you can connect your fire service leadership training with the region’s deep military heritage at nearby museums and public attractions.
National Naval Aviation Museum – NAS Pensacola
One of the world’s largest aviation museums, featuring 150+ restored aircraft, immersive exhibits, and Blue Angels history. Located aboard NAS Pensacola with specific public access hours and ID requirements.
Plan your visit →Air Force Armament Museum – Eglin AFB (Off-Base)
The only museum in the world dedicated solely to Air Force armament, located just outside Eglin AFB and fully open to the public with free admission and parking—perfect for a day trip from Pensacola Beach.
View hours & directions →Note: Base access policies and museum hours can change. Always confirm on the official museum websites before your visit.
Support the Companies That Support Your Training
We intentionally limit vendors so you can spend more time learning and networking, not walking a trade-show maze. These core partners help keep tuition reasonable and the experience focused on real fireground performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
An elite 5-day, 40-hour leadership and tactical training program for firefighters, company officers, and fire chiefs, held as part of a beachfront Florida Fire Conference in Pensacola Beach.
Firefighters ready to move up the ranks, fire officers looking to sharpen decision-making, and fire chiefs seeking peer networking and leadership refinement.
40 hours of instruction from nationally renowned speakers, an ODP Certificate, hotel room discounts, free airport shuttles, free parking, local discount wristband, nightly socials, and tumbler discounts.
Yes. 40 CEUs certified by the Florida State Fire College can be awarded to Florida Firefighters with a valid FCDICE #.
Monday: Department Class A (or Class B/button-up).
Tuesday–Friday: Business Casual (collared shirt required).
While we won’t have any formalized spouse events for this conference, families are always welcome.
