Fire Department Safety Officers Association

What Fire Department Safety Officers Association does

The Fire Department Safety Officers Association (FDSOA) is a 501(c)-style non-profit professional association founded in 1989 and headquartered in Chandler, Arizona, with approximately 23 employees. Its functional purpose is to deliver specialized safety, health, and apparatus training and certification programs to fire service personnel in the United States and Canada, targeting Incident Safety Officers, Health & Safety Officers, TIM Management Technical Specialists, and Emergency Vehicle Technicians (EVTs). The organization operates as a member-funded association with no disclosed outside investors and no parent entity, governed by a board and led by CEO Eric Valliere.

FDSOA's core product surface consists of Pro Board-accredited certifications (ISO, HSO, TIM) plus EVT Commission certifications spanning levels F1 through F5, alongside FDSOA-branded programs including SERT accident investigation, DICO infection control, 5 Reads building/smoke reading, 1500 Audit, Risk vs. Benefit Analysis, and Thermal Imaging training. Training is delivered through three channels: in-person academies hosted at partner fire departments and academic institutions (e.g., Canadore College in Canada, Savannah Fleet Services), self-paced online certification programs (notably the ISO Online Academy at $595 per person), and the annual Health, Safety and Apparatus Conference. Curriculum content is aligned with NFPA 1521, NFPA 1911, NFPA 1901, and NFPA 1550 standards, and the organization co-sponsors the national Firefighter Safety Stand Down initiative with IAFC, IAFF, NVFC, and NFPA.

The business model is event-driven and member-supported, with revenue generated from per-seat training fees ($250–$975 per program), recurring $99 annual individual memberships (often bundled into training registrations), and conference/event registration. Distribution relies on partnerships with fire departments, regional training centers, and colleges across the U.S. and Canada, supplemented by digital channels including a website, Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, email, and video/podcast series (DocTalk, Street Talk). Customer concentration is low across thousands of fragmented municipal, federal, and volunteer fire agencies, with the principal macro exposure being government public-safety budget cycles.

Name

Fire Department Safety Officers Association

Legal name

Fire Department Safety Officers Association

Website

https://fdsoa.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Fire Department Safety Officers Association (FDSOA), founded in 1989, is a U.S. non-profit association delivering Pro Board-certified safety, health, and emergency vehicle technician training and certifications to fire service agencies and personnel across the United States and Canada.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Fire Service Safety Training and Certification

NAICS

Technical and Trade Schools (6115), Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Firefighter & Fire Service Training (EDAOAMAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Occupational Health & Safety (EHS) Programs & Training (OSHA-style) (EDAEAKAI), Emergency Response, First Aid/CPR/AED & Incident Management Training (BPAKAOAJ), Emergency Response, Fire Safety & Evacuation (EDABAEAE)

Keywords

• Fire service training
• Safety officer certification
• Emergency vehicle technician
• Firefighter wellness programs
• Incident safety training

Headquarters

HQ city

Chandler

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Training Programs and Certifications: Revenue generated from registration fees for various training academies including ISO Online Academy ($595/person), EVT courses, SERT academies, and 5 Reads training. Fees typically include materials, exams, and membership.
2. Annual Membership Dues: Individual membership program offering annual dues, with many training programs including one year FDSOA membership ($99 value) as part of registration.
3. Conference and Event Revenue: Annual Health, Safety and Apparatus Conference generates revenue through attendee registration. The 2026 conference is planned for Scottsdale, AZ.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

FDSOA delivers training programs and certifications for fire service safety professionals, including Pro Board certified Incident Safety Officer (ISO), Health & Safety Officer (HSO), and Technical Information Manager (TIM) credentials, as well as multi-level Emergency Vehicle Technician (EVT) certifications. Offerings are delivered through in-person academies at partner fire departments and colleges, self-paced online certification programs, and an annual Health, Safety and Apparatus Conference.

Product overview

The Fire Department Safety Officers Association (FDSOA) operates as a non-profit professional association offering a comprehensive portfolio of fire service safety training programs and certifications. The organization provides Pro Board certified programs for Incident Safety Officers (ISO), Health & Safety Officers (HSO), and Technical Information Managers (TIM), alongside FDSOA-branded certifications for Infection Control Officers (DICO) and Accident/Injury Investigation (SERT). The Emergency Vehicle Technician (EVT) certification program spans five levels (F1-F5) covering apparatus maintenance, inspection, testing, and specialized areas like Allison transmissions and fire pumps. FDSOA delivers training through in-person academies, online self-paced programs, and the annual Health, Safety and Apparatus Conference. The organization also supports the national Firefighter Safety Stand Down initiative and provides resources including Doc Talk videos, Street Talk podcasts, foam exposure information, and the Cancer Pledge.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Incident Safety Officer (ISO) Certification

Quantifiable outcome

• Firefighter safety and wellness outcomes through training on cancer prevention, mental health, and on-scene safety

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core and flagship.

• Scottsdale Fire DepartmentminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 February 2026FDSOA's new Chaplain Mark Yule previously served as Chaplain for Scottsdale Fire Department for over 15 years, bringing deep connections to the fire service community and understanding of firefighter wellness needs.
• International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) Safety & Health SectioncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 January 2026FDSOA partners with IAFC SH&S Section alongside IAFF, NVFC, and NFPA to support the annual Firefighter Safety Stand Down initiative occurring June 14-20. This national initiative focuses on firefighter safety, health, and operational excellence with annual themes like 'FITNESS: FIT to Serve, Fit for Life' for 2026.
• International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 January 2026IAFF partners with FDSOA for the annual Firefighter Safety Stand Down initiative, a national opportunity for fire departments to pause, train, and recommit to firefighter safety, health, and operational excellence.
• National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 January 2026NVFC collaborates with FDSOA on the Firefighter Safety Stand Down initiative, supporting volunteer and career fire departments nationwide in their safety and wellness efforts.
• National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 January 2026NFPA partners with FDSOA for Safety Stand Down, aligning with NFPA standards and codes to promote firefighter safety through national training and awareness initiatives.
• Canadore CollegeflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCanadore College in North Bay, Ontario is a primary training partner hosting EVT (Emergency Vehicle Technician) certification courses F-1 through F-6. The partnership provides facilities for hands-on training with fire apparatus and certification testing, with courses covering maintenance inspection, design standards, and Allison automatic transmissions.
• Corporate MembersminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFDSOA maintains a corporate membership program for companies in the fire service industry, providing visibility and engagement opportunities with the FDSOA membership and training programs.
• City of Savannah Fire DepartmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCity of Savannah Fleet Services hosts EVT F-1 and F-2 training courses, providing facilities for theory-based instruction and hands-on training for emergency vehicle technicians in the Southeast region.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• National Fire Protection Association (NFPA): Developer of the NFPA standards (1521, 1911, 1901, 1550) on which FDSOA's curriculum is built. NFPA provides its own training, certification, and public-safety education programs, making it both a standards authority and an adjacent training competitor.
• International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF): Major U.S./Canadian firefighter union representing more than 325,000 members. IAFF delivers its own safety and wellness training programs and co-leads Safety Stand Down with FDSOA, making it both a partner and a competitor for training dollars.
• Firehouse.com (Clarion Events): Major fire service media outlet publishing training articles, webinars, and product content. Competes for fire officer attention and continuing-education time, complementing rather than directly replacing FDSOA's certification programs.
• International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC): One of the largest U.S. fire service leadership associations. IAFC operates overlapping training, certification, and Safety Stand Down programs and is a core FDSOA partner; it competes for member mindshare while collaborating on shared initiatives.
• National Fire Academy (FEMA / U.S. Fire Administration): Federal institution providing low-cost or no-cost fire service training, including Incident Command and officer development. Competes with FDSOA on price and accessibility, particularly for state and local fire departments.
• Fire Engineering (Clarion Events/PennWell): Long-running fire service media and training brand producing the FDIC International conference, online training, and certification-aligned content. Directly competes with FDSOA in continuing education and live training events.

Direct peers

• National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC): National membership organization for volunteer firefighters. NVFC offers safety training, certification resources, and wellness programs targeting a large portion of the same fire service audience FDSOA serves, particularly volunteer and combination departments.
• National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF): Non-profit dedicated to firefighter safety, survivor support, and the Everyone Goes Home program. NFFF addresses overlapping line-of-duty safety, wellness, and culture topics and is co-funded in part by the same fire service ecosystem.

Others

• International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC): Accreditation body that certifies fire service training programs. IFSAC is adjacent rather than competitive — FDSOA's Pro Board certifications rely on a parallel accreditation system, and IFSAC-accredited programs cover many of the same domains.

Emerging players

• Columbia Southern University – Fire Science Program: Online university offering fire science, emergency management, and occupational safety degrees and certificates. CSU competes for the same career-development training dollars, especially among working firefighters seeking credentials.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xfacebook.com/FireDepartmentSafetyOfficersAssociation
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCjFe6cHR5tD2KPi8iymFRhw
• Facebookfacebook.com/FireDepartmentSafetyOfficersAssociation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/fire-department-safety-officers-association

Compliance7 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

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 Fire Department Safety Officers Association