Eight Fire Officials Selected For Harvard Senior Executives In State & Local Government Program

Emmitsburg, MD � The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) announced today the selection of eight senior fire officials for fellowships to attend the Harvard University's Senior Executives in State and Local Government Program this summer at the John F. Kennedy School of Government. The 19-day program brings together state and local government leaders from across the nation to focus on exploring the interrelationships between citizens and government, analyzing policy options, and examining the ethical and professional responsibilities of leadership.

The fellowship program for fire service leaders is a joint effort between the USFA, the Fire Protection Publications/International Fire Service Training Association (IFSTA), the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), and Harvard. These organizations fund two of the fellows, each.

"This is USFA's twenty-sixth year of involvement with these highly regarded fellowships to senior fire executives. We are please to join with FPP/IFSTA, IAFC, and the NFPA in the selection of these individuals." said Acting Assistant Administrator of the USFA, Glenn A. Gaines. "These individuals will not only be exposed to a very diverse learning environment, but also return to their communities with the knowledge to assist their communities in preparing for all emergencies and challenges firefighters face today."

The 2009 fellowships were awarded by Harvard's John F. Kennedy School of Government's admission committee, based upon recommendations of a nominating panel. Those selected are:

• Mark Carr, Fire Chief, City of New Britain (Connecticut) Fire Department
• John Caufield, Fire Chief, City of Rochester (New York) Fire Department
• Jeffrey Clark, Fire Chief, City of Chandler (Arizona) Fire Department
• Rebecca Denlinger, Fire Commissioner, Province of British Columbia, Canada
• Sheldon Gilbert, Fire Chief, Alameda County Fire (California) Fire Department
• Ernest Hargett, Deputy Commissioner, City of Philadelphia (Pennsylvania) Fire Department
• Drusilla Martin, Executive Administrator, City of Nashville (Tennessee) Fire Department
• John Searing, Deputy Commissioner, Suffolk County (New York) Department of Fire and Rescue Services

For further information regarding the Harvard University's Senior Executives in State and Local Government Program, or the other programs, projects and efforts of the USFA, visit: www.usfa.fema.gov.

The United States Fire Administration recommends everyone should have a comprehensive fire protection plan that includes smoke alarms, residential sprinklers, and practicing a home fire escape plan.

Would you like to receive press releases and other important notices as soon as they are available from USFA? With our email list and RSS feeds, you can.