A strategic professional development initiative focuses on every member of the organization, including suppression and support services personnel. It is ultimately up to individuals to determine how much or how little they choose to invest in their future progression by way of training and education. The company officer determines how effectively the company operates while the battalion chief makes the same determination at the battalion level. A strategic system of professional development is the recommended approach to developing a department's personnel so that they are ready to meet the demands of current and higher ranks within the organization from a proactive perspective. The elements of a professional development program will be discussed. Professional development is really about professional action.