Mike Chaney
Commissioner of Insurance
I’ve said it many times before, and I’ll say it again: firefighting remains one of the most honored, yet dangerous and demanding professions in the world. Firefighters are not only protectors in moments of crisis—they are everyday heroes who willingly put their lives on the line to save others. Their courage and commitment to service deserve our deepest respect.
The Mississippi State Fire Academy (MSFA) stands as one of the premier firefighter training institutions in the world. For more than 50 years, it has prepared men and women to face the intense challenges of this profession with skill, discipline, and resilience. Graduates of the Academy return to their communities ready to serve with honor and purpose.
While the risks of firefighting can never be fully removed, the foundation provided through rigorous training, knowledge, and preparation makes a vital difference. It saves lives—both of the firefighters and those they serve.
I am proud of the unwavering dedication of the Mississippi fire service, and I salute the brave men and women who respond each day to protect our homes, our families, and our future. You embody the very best of public service.
Thank you for your service, and may God bless and protect you always.
Kelly Elliott
Executive Director
There’s a reason our campus proudly carries the sign #1 Fire Academy USA. It reflects the commitment and unwavering standard of excellence behind every course, instructor, and student at the Mississippi State Fire Academy (MSFA). As an accredited institution, we maintain rigorous standards to ensure excellence in every aspect of fire service education.
For over 50 years, MSFA has prepared career, volunteer, and industrial firefighters to meet every challenge with skill, confidence, and decisiveness, both on our campus in Rankin County and through statewide field delivery programs that bring training directly to the communities where it is needed most. While we welcome students from outside our state and internationally, we will always put Mississippians first.
Tradition informs our work, but it does not slow us. We forge ahead, strengthening the capabilities and readiness that define Mississippi’s fire service. At MSFA, we hold ourselves to the highest standard, training firefighters who are not only the best in the state but capable of standing among the best anywhere. We use the latest tools and techniques to make training real, practical, and safe for every firefighter.
Our goal is simple: forge the standard, lead the way, and build the readiness that protects Mississippians and those who serve alongside them, giving every student the tools, training, and mindset to Make a Difference When it Matters the Most.