The McKinney Fire Department (MFD) is announced Nov. 18 that several employees recently graduated from the Texas Fire Chief’s Academy, a two-year program designed for senior and prospective fire executives put on by the Texas Fire Chief’s Association.

Chiefs Brian Judd, Chris Lowry, Don McKinney and Emergency Manager Karen Adkins earned the credentials Certified Fire Executive (CFE) after graduating from the program.

“The city of McKinney is truly fortunate to have such a dedicated and professional Fire staff, and we are proud of these employees who put in the rigorous effort to obtain these credentials,” said Danny Kistner, Chief of the MFD, in a news release.

The Texas Fire Chief’s Academy requires 80 hours in the classroom and a project that solves an issue within the fire service, emergency management, or emergency medical services from either a local or industry perspective.

Classes include firefighter safety, leadership, financial management, community risk reduction, Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System, Governor’s Emergency and Trauma Advisory Committee, Texas Commission on Fire Protection and other pertinent topics that impact fire service executives.