IFSTA-FPP

What IFSTA-FPP does

IFSTA-FPP is the publishing and training-materials division of the International Fire Service Training Association, operated through Fire Protection Publications (FPP), a department within the College of Engineering, Architecture, and Technology at Oklahoma State University. Founded in 1934 and headquartered in Stillwater, Oklahoma, the organization develops and distributes fire and emergency responder training materials validated through a committee process involving firefighters and subject matter experts, with content explicitly aligned to NFPA professional qualification standards and FESHE higher-education curriculum. Its customer base spans career and volunteer fire departments, training academies, universities, and individual firefighters in the United States and internationally.

The core product line comprises a catalog of print manuals — including Essentials of Fire Fighting (flagship firefighter I & II), Fire and Emergency Services Company Officer, Fire and Emergency Services Instructor, Pumping and Aerial Apparatus Driver/Operator Handbook, Building Construction Related to the Fire Service, Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting, Hazardous Materials for First Responders, Fire Service Hydraulics and Water Supply, and Chief Officer — together with companion eBooks, interactive courses, exam prep modules, course workbooks, skills videos, and bundled packages. Delivery is operated through three primary platforms: the ifsta.org direct e-commerce storefront, the free ResourceOne learning management system (curriculum access, chapter quizzes, interactive modules, skill and tutorial videos, discussion forums), and the IFSTA eLibrary organizational subscription. Digital eBook fulfillment is provided through VitalSource's Bookshelf application, and mobile access via iOS and Android apps.

IFSTA-FPP generates revenue predominantly through one-time purchases of print editions and eBooks (SKUs generally priced $14.99 for exam prep, $50 for interactive courses, and $80-$117 for full manuals), augmented by the recurring annual IFSTA eLibrary subscription for departments. Distribution is principally direct-to-consumer via the company website and ResourceOne; an additional international channel exists through AFSSAC for Arabic-edition distribution across Arab countries. Customer acquisition relies on the website, an email newsletter, industry conferences, and the "Speaking of Fire" podcast, with content currency sustained through validation committees and a research-integration partnership with UL FSRI.

Name

IFSTA-FPP

Legal name

Fire Protection Publications, Oklahoma State University

Website

https://ifsta.org

Company type

Public

Founded year

1934

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

IFSTA-FPP is the publishing arm of the International Fire Service Training Association, producing NFPA-aligned fire and emergency responder training materials—print manuals, eBooks, ResourceOne LMS, and the eLibrary subscription—serving fire departments, training academies, and individual firefighters since 1934.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Fire Service Training Materials

NAICS

Professional and Management Development Training (611430)

akta.pro primary industry

Firefighter & Fire Service Training (EDAOAMAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Safety, Security & Emergency Services (OSHA, Fire, EMS, Security CE) (EDAAALAK)

Keywords

• Fire service training
• Firefighter certification manuals
• Emergency response education
• NFPA-aligned curriculum
• Fire officer training

Headquarters

HQ city

Stillwater

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Print Publications Sales: One-time sales of printed training manuals and textbooks covering various fire service topics including firefighter training, officer development, hazardous materials, rescue operations, and specialized apparatus operations.
2. Digital Publications (eBooks): Electronic versions of print textbooks sold through VitalSource platform. Available for 5 years online access with option to download for offline use. Revenue from individual eBook purchases.
3. IFSTA eLibrary Subscription: Annual subscription-based program for organizations providing unlimited access to all IFSTA validated manuals for department members through ResourceOne platform.
4. Exam Prep Products: Self-study tools sold to individual students for preparation for certification exams, accessed through ResourceOne platform.
5. Interactive Courses: Visually engaging self-instruction courses sold to individuals for 25-30 hours of training content, accessed through ResourceOne.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

IFSTA-FPP develops, publishes, and distributes validated fire service training materials—including print manuals, eBooks, and digital learning platforms—aligned with NFPA professional qualification standards and FESHE model curriculum for firefighters, fire officers, instructors, and emergency responders. The portfolio covers the complete career progression from entry-level firefighter through chief officer and is delivered through a free learning management system (ResourceOne) and an annual organizational subscription program (IFSTA eLibrary).

Product overview

IFSTA-FPP is a fire service training materials publisher and platform provider operating under Oklahoma State University's Fire Protection Publications. The company offers a comprehensive portfolio of training resources for firefighters and emergency responders, combining print manuals, eBooks, and digital learning platforms. The core product line includes foundational training manuals such as Essentials of Fire Fighting, Fire and Emergency Services Company Officer, Fire and Emergency Services Instructor, Pumping and Aerial Apparatus Driver/Operator Handbook, and specialized titles covering Aircraft Rescue, Hazardous Materials, Building Construction, and Fire Service Hydraulics. These manuals are validated through IFSTA's committee process and aligned with NFPA professional qualification standards. The digital ecosystem includes ResourceOne (free learning management system), IFSTA eLibrary (organizational subscription program), IFSTA Apps (mobile access), and VitalSource-hosted eBooks. Supplementary products include Exam Prep study tools, Interactive Courses, Course Workbooks, and Skills Video Series. The portfolio serves the complete firefighter career progression from entry-level through chief officer ranks.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ResourceOne: IFSTA's free learning management system hosting training materials for firefighters. Provides curriculum access, skill videos, tutorial videos, and webinar videos for fire service training.

Products and services

• Essentials of Fire Fighting, 8th Edition Comprehensive firefighter training manual providing entry-level firefighter candidates with the knowledge needed to meet NFPA 1010 (2024) Firefighter I and II job performance requirements. Available as standalone Firefighter I ($81.00), Firefighter II, or combined Firefighter I & II set.
• Fire and Emergency Services Company Officer Provides emergency services personnel with leadership skills to meet NFPA 1020/1021 Fire Officer I and II requirements. Covers supervisory management, human relations, administrative duties, and emergency response. Available in print ($93.00-$95.00) and eBook ($80.75) formats.
• Fire and Emergency Services Instructor Essential resource for fire and emergency services instructors covering NFPA 1020 (2025) Instructor Levels I, II, and III requirements, plus Live Fire Instructor certifications. Includes 62 Skill Sheets. Print edition $95.00 (646 pages); eBook $80.75.
• Pumping and Aerial Apparatus Driver/Operator Handbook Comprehensive driver/operator training covering both pumping and aerial apparatus operations. Includes 20 chapters on apparatus inspection, water supply, hose calculations, pump theory, aerial operations, and tactical strategies. Print edition $105.00 (828 pages).
• Building Construction Related to the Fire Service Provides practical understanding of building design and construction and how buildings are impacted by fire. Links construction features to fire dynamics for safer fire prevention and suppression decision-making. Print edition $95.00 (387 pages); eBook $80.75.
• Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting Provides airport firefighters with information to meet NFPA 1003, FARs, and ICAO requirements. Covers ARFF vehicle operations, aircraft familiarization, fire suppression tactics, and emergency planning. Print edition $94.00 (638 pages); eBook $79.90.
• Fire Service Hydraulics and Water Supply Covers water supply identification and effective use for fire control. Includes water flow theory, pressure calculations, pumps, relay operations, and sprinkler/standpipe system supply. FESHE-compliant for higher education credit. Print edition $110.00; eBook $86.50.
• Hazardous Materials for First Responders Prepares first responders to take appropriate initial actions at hazardous materials spills, releases, and WMD incidents. Meets NFPA 470 (2022) job performance requirements. Print edition $99.00 (694 pages); package with workbook $122.40.
• Chief Officer Addresses Fire Officer III and IV qualification requirements. Covers health, safety, wellness programs, risk management, and community risk reduction. Print edition $90.00; eBook $76.50 (336 pages).
• ResourceOne Learning Management System IFSTA's free learning management system hosting training materials made by firefighters for firefighters. Includes curriculum materials, online classes, chapter quizzes, tests, PowerPoints, key terms, interactive modules, workbook activities, exam prep questions, and discussion forums. Accessible via web and mobile app.
• IFSTA eLibrary Annual subscription-based program for organizations providing access to IFSTA validated manuals for every member of a department through ResourceOne. Delivers organization-wide curriculum deployment at predictable annual cost.
• IFSTA eBooks Digital versions of IFSTA print manuals hosted via VitalSource Bookshelf application. Features include searchable text, cloud-synced notes/highlights/bookmarks, print-fidelity, five-year online access, and offline download option across up to two computers and two mobile devices.
• IFSTA Mobile Apps Mobile applications providing access to IFSTA training materials. Includes ResourceOne mobile app for iOS (App Store) and Android (Google Play) with downloadable courses for offline access, real-time syncing, and push notifications for seamless device transitions.
• Exam Prep Self-study tools for students to prepare for end of course tests and certification exams. Content arranged by chapter with multiple choice questions (e.g., 498 questions per course). Accessed through ResourceOne. Priced at $14.99 per Exam Prep course.
• Interactive Courses Visually engaging self-instruction courses providing 25-30 hours of training content per manual. Includes text, images, and video in over 100 content modules. Completion requires 70% or higher score. Priced at $50.00 per Interactive Course.
• Course Workbooks Student review materials with questions and activities covering all chapters of the corresponding manual. Includes true/false, matching, scenario, and multiple choice items with page references. Designed as a companion to IFSTA core manuals.
• Skills Video Series Free streaming video series available on ResourceOne demonstrating skills from various IFSTA manuals. Includes step-by-step skill demonstrations by fire service professionals to support skill sheet completion.

Quantifiable outcome

• Materials aligned with latest NFPA 1010 (2024 Edition) Firefighter professional qualifications
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Oklahoma State University (College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFire Protection Publications is a department within the College of Engineering, Architecture, and Technology at Oklahoma State University. FPP serves as the headquarters for IFSTA. The organizational relationship enables academic rigor and institutional backing for fire service training materials development.
• VitalSourcecoreTechnology or IntegrationVitalSource provides the eBook platform hosting IFSTA publications. Customers access eBooks through VitalSource Bookshelf application with 5-year online access and offline download capability.
• UL FSRI (Underwriters Laboratories Fire Safety Research Institute)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIFSTA incorporates the latest fire behavior research and tactics from UL FSRI into training materials, particularly in the Essentials of Fire Fighting 8th Edition and related publications.
• NFPA (National Fire Protection Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIFSTA training materials are aligned with NFPA professional qualification standards including NFPA 1010 (Firefighter), NFPA 1020 (Fire Officer/Instructor), NFPA 470 (Hazardous Materials), and other relevant codes and standards.
• FESHE (Fire and Emergency Services Higher Education)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIFSTA materials meet FESHE model course curriculum objectives for higher education fire science programs, enabling academic credit alignment.
• AFSSAC (Arab Countries Fire Fighting & Safety Advisory Committee)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorArabic edition distribution partnership for Pumping and Aerial Apparatus Driver/Operator Handbook, 3rd Edition. AFSSAC handles ordering and distribution for Arabic-speaking countries.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• National Fire Protection Association (NFPA): Sets the standards (NFPA 1010, 1020, 470) to which IFSTA materials map, and offers its own training, certification prep, and professional development programs. Acts simultaneously as content partner (defining curriculum) and adjacent training provider.
• UL Fire Safety Research Institute (UL FSRI): Research-driven fire behavior and tactics organization that supplies underlying science (already embedded in IFSTA's 8th Edition). Increasingly publishes its own training and report content adjacent to IFSTA's. Functions as a content partner and partial adjacent competitor.

Direct peers

• Fire Engineering (PennWell / Clarion Events): Fire Engineering is the most direct print-publishing competitor — produces firefighter training manuals, handbooks, and skills videos covering the same NFPA-anchored curriculum. Targets the same fire officer, instructor, and apparatus operator segments as IFSTA.
• Jones & Bartlett Learning (Ascend Learning): Publishes fire science textbooks, EMT/EMS materials, and hazardous-materials titles that compete head-to-head with IFSTA manuals in fire academies and FESHE-aligned higher education programs. Comparable product mix of print textbooks and digital learning tools.
• Vector Solutions (formerly TargetSolutions): Leading online training platform for fire and EMS departments, directly competing with IFSTA's ResourceOne LMS and eLibrary subscription products. Represents the native-LMS alternative to IFSTA's print-rooted offering.

Broad incumbents

• Lexipol: Public safety policy, training, and accreditation platform serving fire, EMS, law enforcement, and corrections. Overlaps IFSTA in fire service training content but operates as a broader-suite incumbent across multiple public-safety verticals.
• Pearson (Brady imprint): Pearson acquired Brady, historically a dominant publisher of firefighter and EMS training textbooks. Operates fire service titles as part of a much larger global education portfolio, competing on similar NFPA-anchored content.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/IFSTA
• Facebookfacebook.com/ifsta

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about IFSTA-FPP