The National Association of State Fire Marshals (NASFM) has launched a new training initiative to help local fire departments and partner agencies better understand and respond to the growing challenges associated with homelessness and migrant populations. This program focuses on issues such as encampment fires, unsafe temporary shelters, and the complex public health and humanitarian needs surrounding unsheltered and displaced individuals.
As part of this initiative, NASFM has developed a “Best Practices in Addressing Homelessness and Migrant Issues” training program, supported through a FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant (Fire Prevention & Safety). The program includes a comprehensive best practices guide and a flexible training curriculum that can be delivered online or in person, making it suitable for departments and jurisdictions of all sizes.
A free online course is now available through NASFM’s training portal: Best Practices in Addressing Homelessness and Migrant Issues
In addition to the online course, NASFM is offering a limited number of in‑person Best Practices and Train‑the‑Trainer sessions in selected states between January and June 2026. Massachusetts has been identified as a priority state due to the impact of homelessness on emergency services, and the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services is exploring opportunities to host one of these in‑person offerings.
Massachusetts fire departments are encouraged to:
- Share the NASFM Best Practices Guide and training information with prevention, inspection, code enforcement, and community risk reduction staff.
- Register personnel for the free online course.
- Consider participating in a potential in‑person or train‑the‑trainer session if one is scheduled in the Commonwealth.
Additional details about an in‑person offering in Massachusetts will be shared as they are finalized. In the meantime, departments are urged to take advantage of the online course and materials and begin integrating these best practices into local planning, prevention, and response efforts.