About the Institute

The LDI provides unique and essential leadership training for company-level and command officers. While many fire service programs focus on strategies and tactics, much of an officer’s time is spent with members and citizens in the firehouse—not on the incident scene. Leadership, management, and communication are both an art and a science that must be taught in the fire service, just as they are in the military.

The program combines the art and science of leadership and management techniques taught by national-level speakers from within and outside the fire service. Students gain education and knowledge—and specific methods to implement what they have learned—with opportunities to practice in a supportive setting and receive feedback from recognized fire and rescue leaders.

The LDI welcomes applications from career and volunteer fire/rescue personnel from jurisdictions inside and outside of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG). Select admission beyond Northern Virginia continues to strengthen diversity of thought in the learning environment. Leaders with additional years of experience in their rank are also encouraged to apply.