Technology Transfer - Integration of Research Results in NFA Training Programs

This USFA/National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) research partnership supports the rapid transfer of new technology to the fire service community. Implementation of technology can have a significant impact on fire safety. NIST staff will work with USFA staff to examine existing National Fire Academy (NFA) programs and identify areas that could benefit from inclusion of current technology, recent research results, or new work. Where appropriate, NIST would develop the material, i.e., videos, computer simulations, training packages, public demonstrations, etc., to support the presentation and understanding of the new technology.

One of the methods of transferring technology is to facilitate implementation of new technology based on, but not limited to USFA/NIST research results, into the NFA curricula.

Results:

In FY07, NIST successfully completed or initiated the following:

  1. Continued, with the assistance of USFA staff, a process for NFA Program Chairs to request NIST CDs and DVDs for NFA Resident Courses, Direct Delivery, and Degrees at a Distance Program Courses. In addition, NIST CDs and DVDs were listed on the USFA Web site for distribution to the Fire Service Community. In FY07, NIST delivered more than 60,000 CDs and DVDs for technology transfer purposes.
  2. Presented segments to the Managing Fire Prevention Programs and the Fire Dynamics and Fire Modeling Course during three different offerings (total of 34 hours).
  3. Continued the production of FIRE.GOV with the assistance of USFA staff reviewing articles and recommending topic areas and contacts.
  4. Continued to work with USFA staff to identify new technology transfer opportunities that can be accomplished within the current structure of the program.

Further information about these resources can be found at http://www.fire.nist.gov