KU modernizes firefighter certification across Kansas

LAWRENCE — A streamlined credentialing system is helping Kansas get firefighters and emergency personnel into the field faster. The Kansas Fire & Rescue Training Institute (KFRTI) is partnering with Assessment & Technology Solutions (ATS) to enhance firefighter certification through computer-based assessments. 

KFRTI, based at the University of Kansas, is the official fire credentialing institute in Kansas. The institute brings training and national certification assessments to fire and emergency personnel across the state at no cost. As the only certifying entity in Kansas, KFRTI trains and certifies firefighters and prospective firefighters in all 105 counties. In 2025, KFRTI certified 1,064 firefighters and 266 community college students.  

Until now, assessments were on traditional scannable test forms, which came with significant drawbacks. As other states move toward computer-based testing, KFRTI was looking for the right vendor to help make the switch.  

“The struggle was just to find one that was the right fit for us,” said Erica Henderson, KFRTI certification coordinator. “What we need is very specific, including tests that work for the way we operate our mobile training.” 

ATS, a center within the Achievement & Assessment Institute at KU, develops high-volume and scalable software to meet public needs. The center’s flagship platform, Kite Suite, is a comprehensive assessment system that runs on a secure Amazon Web Services infrastructure. Kite Suite is designed for cross-platform, multidevice use, allowing candidates to access assessments with the tools that work best for them. 

All of KFRTI’s pen-and-paper tests are being transferred to the Kite Suite. As a mobile training center, KFRTI staff used to bring large amounts of test forms and scan sheets to each testing location, ship them back for grading, then ship the results back to students. The process took at least two weeks to deliver results and help clear firefighters for service. With tests in Kite and KFRTI’s new Chromebooks, the institute will reduce processing times and save an estimated $1,000 on shipping costs. 

“The sooner we can turn around our exam results and get the certifications in the students’ hands, the quicker they can get hired and start working to protect our communities,” said KFRTI Director Jenn Johnson. 

In addition to meeting all national requirements and KFRTI specifications, Kite’s adaptability allows KFRTI staff to choose questions, accessibility features and test result contents. Johnson said the text-to-speech accessibility function will be especially helpful for students who need a test reader. 

“Before switching to Kite, students had to come to Lawrence to take the tests, no matter where in Kansas they were from, because we had only one reader program,” Johnson said. “The new tests allow us to provide a reader for students anywhere in the state.” 

Kite also allows students to submit feedback on the tests and even contest answers marked as incorrect. 

“If we have bad distractors or if the students are reading a question differently than we did on our initial validation, we want to know,” Henderson said. “We want our tests to be the best that they can be, and we can't do that without the help of our students.” 

KFRTI piloted three tests in late 2025 with positive results. ATS sent staff to all three tests and will continue to be on site as KFRTI makes the switch. 

“Being on site is part of our commitment to take the pressure off of Jenn and her team,” said ATS Director Susan Martin. “There's nothing worse than looking at a group of people who need to test and not knowing why something isn’t working.” 

Looking ahead, ATS is hoping to expand. The center attended the Pro Board 2026 Accreditation and Education Conference, Jan. 15–17 in Orlando, Florida, with the hopes of bringing the Kite Suite to fire certification tests in other states. 

“This is an opportunity to work with a lot of good people committed to public service,” Martin said. “You don't give your life to this career if you're not committed, and we’re excited to meet some exceptional people who are focused on what they do.”