July 21, 2021 marked the 60th anniversary of the International Society of Fire Service Instructors. It is quite an accomplishment to celebrate six decades of ISFSI’s journey in the relevancy of the fire service. The road has not always been easily traveled for the ISFSI, but the decades have proven that raising the standard for instructor professionalism are well worth the roads pathed by difficult terrain.
For the past 60 years, ISFSI has fought to establish quality resources, training, and professional recognition. ISFSI has introduced ground-breaking resources in instructor professional development and research-based education. ISFSI has built a global network of passionate and committed members that have supported the profession. All of this is in service to YOU, the fire instructor.
It has been a pleasure to walk in the footsteps of those who paved the path for ISFSI before me. What a blessing this has been to watch the ISFSI explore new opportunity and accomplish the unimaginable over the last 12-years.
The celebration of this anniversary is most commonly acknowledged with the gift of diamonds. The word diamond comes from the Greek word adamas, which means unconquerable and enduring. I believe this is indeed a purposeful description of the ISFSI. As we continue to endure and travel the sparkling milestones of the ISFSI, I hope you will travel with us and “write your own chapter in our history books.”