Delivery
Online
Fire and EMS Administrative Leadership Certificate
Program Overview
Fire and EMS professionals enter the field to protect and serve their communities. As you advance in your career, administrative responsibilities such as budgeting, personnel management, and planning become a significant part of leadership roles.
Many small and mid sized agencies do not have dedicated HR or finance departments, requiring officers and supervisors to navigate these systems on their own. The Fire and EMS Administrative Leadership Certificate provides the practical administrative training needed to support agency operations, make informed decisions, and lead with confidence.
Program Contact
Enrollment Team
School of Professional Studies
Who Should Enroll
This certificate is designed for Fire and EMS professionals preparing for administrative responsibilities or promotion, including:
- Company Officers
- Battalion Chiefs
- Division Leaders
- EMS Supervisors
- Administrative Captains
- Personnel involved in budgeting, HR processes, or administrative planning
- Individuals preparing for chief officer or senior leadership roles
This certificate is open to all Fire and EMS professionals.
Program Format
- 42 total hours
- Live online sessions via Zoom: Wednesdays and Thursdays, 8:30 AM to 11:30 AM
- Each live session includes two short breaks and one hour of corresponding asynchronous work
Courses
FEL101 – Budgeting and Financial Management for Fire and EMS ($345)
14 hours total; 4 live sessions plus asynchronous assignments
FEL102 – Human Resources for Fire and EMS Leaders ($685)
28 hours total; 8 live sessions plus asynchronous assignments
Bundle Price: $875 (save when enrolling in both courses)
Courses may be taken individually. Both courses are required to earn the certificate.
What Participants Will Learn
Through real world examples and applied administrative training, you will learn how to:
- Understand and manage Fire and EMS budgeting processes
- Read, interpret, and communicate financial information
- Build and justify budget requests
- Navigate personnel systems, HR procedures, and employment policies
- Handle staffing, scheduling, and leave management with confidence
- Support personnel investigations and documentation requirements
- Develop policies and procedures that strengthen agency operations
- Apply administrative decision making in your daily leadership role
- Improve communication and collaboration with city, county, or agency partners
These skills help you transition from operational leadership to administrative effectiveness, preparing you for expanded responsibility at the division, battalion, or agency level.
What Can You Do With Your Certificate?
Earning the Fire and EMS Administrative Leadership Certificate equips you for roles that require strong administrative competency, including:
- Manage personnel and HR functions within your division
- Oversee budgets, purchasing, and financial planning
- Lead policy development and administrative operations
- Support compliance, documentation, and reporting
- Prepare for promotion to captain, battalion chief, division chief, EMS supervisor, or administrative leadership roles
- Build credibility with department leadership and city or county partners
- Strengthen your readiness for future chief officer responsibilities
Whether you are new to administrative duties or preparing for the next step in your career, this certificate helps you advance with confidence.
Why Earn Your Certificate From UNC Charlotte?
UNC Charlotte’s School of Professional Studies is a trusted training partner for Fire and EMS agencies across the region. When you earn your certificate through UNC Charlotte, you benefit from:
- Programs built with and for the field
Curriculum shaped by input from Fire and EMS leaders ensures every hour is relevant and practical. - Experienced instructors
Courses are taught by professionals who have extensive experience managing HR, budgeting, and administrative operations. - A strong track record in public safety leadership
Our Fire and Rescue Management Institute and EMS Management Institute have served thousands of professionals preparing for leadership roles. - Flexible, online learning
Live online sessions allow you to balance training with shift work and agency responsibilities. - A recognized university credential
You earn a certificate from a respected institution known for high quality, applied professional development.
UNC Charlotte is committed to supporting the next generation of Fire and EMS leaders as they take on the administrative and managerial responsibilities of the job.
Program Cost
Individual Courses
- FEL101 – Budgeting and Financial Management for Fire and EMS: $345
- FEL102 – Human Resources for Fire and EMS Leaders: $685
Bundle Price: $875 – Save when you enroll in both courses.
Both courses are required to earn the certificate, and each may be taken individually.