Application Procedures Announced for the 2011 Harvard Fire Executive Fellowship Program

Emmitsburg, MD-Application procedures have been announced for the 2011 Harvard Fire Executive Fellowship Program. The program is once again sponsored through a partnership between the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), Fire Protection Publications/International Fire Service Training Association (FPP/IFSTA), the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the United States Fire Administration (USFA).

Acting USFA Administrator Glenn Gaines in announcing the 2011 Program said, “The U.S. Fire Administration and our funding partners, the IAFC, FPP/IFSTA, and the NFPA, remain committed to sponsoring Fellows who will attend the Senior Executives in State and Local Government program at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government next summer. We have supported this program since 1984 because the curriculum, faculty, and setting are truly outstanding. Most importantly, this premier program can provide tools and experiences in confronting the collective challenges which fire executives face. I personally know many fire executives who have benefitted from the State & Local Program and found it extremely valuable when examining and understanding the relationships between careerists, elected, and appointed officials.”

Senior fire executives who are selected will be awarded Fellowships to attend Harvard's annual Senior Executives in State and Local Government program.  The 3-week program is conducted on the Harvard campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts.  Selected Fellows will be assigned one of the two sessions: June 6-24, 2011 or July 11-29, 2011. Fellows must be available to attend either session.

The following criteria and guidelines have been established for the 2011 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 2008, 2009, or 2010 will not be considered. The program is available to international participants.
• Finalists for the Harvard Fellowships will be asked to develop and present a five-year plan during their interview session, describing how they will use the opportunity if awarded a Fellowship to enhance Fire-EMS services at the local, regional, tribal, state/province/territory, or at a national or international level. Finalists will receive more details. As in the past, selected Fellows can expect to be contacted by any of the sponsors to assist and support ongoing projects to utilize their specialized knowledge and skills.

Application Instructions

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

1. Applicants must complete and submit the Harvard/Kennedy School of Government Application For Executive Education (DOC, 256 Kb). This form-fillable document can then be completed for submission to the address listed below, not to Harvard. 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/FPP-IFSTA/NFPA/USFA Fellowship.” Make sure that you attach your essay responses (250 words or less for each question response).
2. Enclose a current resume or curriculum vitae.
3. Enclose a letter of recommendation from your senior official. If the applicant is the Chief, the letter should be written by the jurisdictional head (e.g., Mayor or City Manager). Otherwise, the recommendation should be from the Fire Chief.
4. Please do not submit your application package directly to the Harvard Kennedy School of Government.  Mail the application package (traceable mail with receipt is recommended) no later than February 14, 2011 (postmark) to the following address:
   
   Harvard Fellowship Program
   International Association of Fire Chiefs
   c/o Ms. Ann Davison
   4025 Fair Ridge Drive - Suite 300
   Fairfax, Virginia  22033-2868
5. For questions regarding application procedures only, please contact Ms. Mary Wingert at the U.S. Fire Administration at (301) 447-1085 or mary.wingert@fema.dhs.gov. 
6. If the applicant’s organization or position should change (voluntarily or involuntarily) after the application package has been submitted, she/he is obligated to notify Ms. Wingert.

Application packages postmarked after February 14, 2011, will not be considered.

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

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.

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