Joseph Pfeifer, Senior Executives in State and Local Government 2006 and MC/MPA
2008, was the first fire chief on the scene at the World Trade Center on Sept. 11,
2001. Today, he is the Chief of Counterterrorism and Emergency Preparedness for
the New York City Fire Department.
In this film, Pfeifer talks about attending the Executive Education course for Senior
Executives for State and Local Government at Harvard Kennedy School and, later,
returning for his MPA degree, and the key role his Harvard Kennedy School training
has played in his career.
Ernie Almonte always starts his speeches with his business card. "How many of you
have a business card in your wallet or pocket?" he asks an audience of his colleagues,
waving his own card at them. "The most important part is on the back. My core values
are listed there: integrity, reliability, independence and accountability."