Application Procedures Announced for the 2007 Harvard Fire Executive Fellowship Program

News Release Date: November 7, 2006

Emmitsburg, MD - Application procedures have been announced for the 2007 Harvard Fire Executive Fellowship Program. The program is once again sponsored through a partnership between the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), the International Fire Service Training Association (IFSTA), the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the Department of Homeland Security - United States Fire Administration (USFA). Each organization will fund the tuition costs of two individuals for a total of eight fellowships.

Interim USFA Administrator Charlie Dickinson, in announcing the 2007 Program said, "recent catastrophic events along with daily challenges remind us of the need for cooperation between senior executives in fire and emergency services organizations and their Federal, State, and local level counterparts." Dickinson also said that "this need has never been greater if we are to successfully respond to the many challenges we face. In discussions I have enjoyed with many fire executives who have attended this program, I know the State and Local Government Program has provided them with an experience and tools to confront the many challenges facing fire and emergency services today. It also has enabled them to expand their network beyond that of the fire service."

Eight senior fire executives will be awarded fellowships to attend Harvard's annual Program for Senior Executives in State and Local Government. The 3-week program is conducted on the Harvard campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Selected Fellows would be assigned to attend one of the two session dates: June 10-29, 2007 or July 8-27, 2007 and must be available to attend either session.

Applicants are responsible for travel costs to the final interview process (scheduled for April 4, 2007) in Emmitsburg, Maryland, and if selected, also to Cambridge. Housing will be provided at NETC for the interview process. Fellows are expected to continue their professional contributions to fire and emergency services in light of their State and local program experience.

The following criteria and guidelines have been established for the 2007 program:

Application is open to senior fire executives who have demonstrated significant career accomplishments and have the potential to impact and initiate change. Attainment of a senior position is less important than demonstrated experience in facilitating significant change within a public sector setting.
Preference may be given to applicants who are graduates of the National Fire Academy's "Executive Fire Officer Program," although program completion is not a prerequisite. Preference may also be given to applicants who have completed graduate-level degree programs or course work.
Individuals whose organizations have been represented in the Harvard Fellowship Program during 2004, 2005, or 2006 will not be considered. The program is available to international participants.

Application Instructions:

(Please follow these three steps carefully as the application procedures have changed from prior years).

Applicants must complete and submit the Harvard/Kennedy School of Government Application for Executive Education (Word, 242 Kb). This form-fillable document can then be completed for submission. It is recommended that this form be saved to your computer. For the question "Who will be the financial sponsor of your participation?" please enter "IAFC/IFSTA/NFPA/USFA Fellowship". Make sure that you attach your essay responses (250 words or less for each of three questions).
Enclose a current resume or curriculum vitae.
Enclose a letter of recommendation from your senior official. If the applicant is the Chief, then the letter should be written by the jurisdictional head (e.g., Mayor, City Manager, etc.). Otherwise, the recommendation should be from the Fire Chief.

Mail the application package (traceable mail with receipt is recommended) no later than February 12, 2007 to the following address:

Harvard Fellowship Program
International Association of Fire Chiefs
c/o Ms. Elena Slavinsky
4025 Fair Ridge Drive - Suite 300
Fairfax, Virginia 22033-2868

For questions regarding application procedures only, please contact Ms. Kathleen Carter, U.S. Fire Administration, at (301) 447-1349.

For more information please refer to the United States Fire Administration/National Fire Academy Web site or the Harvard University/John F. Kennedy School of Government Senior Executives in State and Local Government Web site.