In late 2022, the USFA met with major fire service organizations across the country to ensure the mission supports the current needs of fire and EMS responders. The stakeholder listening sessions revealed several opportunities for the USFA to better connect with the fire service at large and become more relevant. The opportunities identified are incorporated into this strategic plan. The topics deemed most important to external stakeholders included the following:
- Leadership
- Communication and collaboration
- Relevance — modernize USFA
- Data and research
USFA leadership held a town hall with all staff to ensure internal stakeholder perspectives were addressed in the new strategic plan. Staff spent a full day committed to open discussion and small-group targeted discussions to arrive at the main drivers for the strategic plan. Many of these topics matched the external stakeholder group and included the following.
- Internal communication
- External communication
- Workforce
- Research and innovation
- Business processes/resources
Based on these internal and external sessions, the USFA Strategic Plan for 2024-2027 was developed.