In 2004 the Swedish government implemented the new Civil Protection Act. The new reformed legislation involved a number of significant changes, for the fire and rescue services as well as for local authorities, private companies and owners of buildings. The changes have created a need for education, both for persons involved in fire prevention in the public sector and in private companies. The new tasks that have been imposed the fire and rescue services also raise the demand for competence development among professionals. This paper discusses the changes and possibilities from a competence development perspective and describes how fire and rescue services and academic institutions can co-operate in gain for all parts.