Application Procedures Announced for the 2010 Harvard Fire Executive Fellowship Program

Contact:

USFA Press Office: (301) 447-1853

Emmitsburg, MD - Application procedures have been announced for the 2010 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 Department of Homeland Security/U.S. Fire Administration (USFA).

USFA Administrator Kelvin J. Cochran, in announcing the 2010 program said, “The U.S. Fire Administration and our funding partners, the IAFC, FPP/IFSTA, and the NFPA, are excited once again to sponsor a number of fellows who will attend the Senior Executives in State and Local Government program at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government next summer. 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 and 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 Program for Senior Executives in State and Local Government. The 3-week program is conducted on the Harvard campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Selected Fellows will be assigned to attend one of the two session dates: June 7-25, 2010 or July 5-23, 2010. Fellows must be available to attend either session.

Program Criteria

The following criteria and guidelines have been established for the 2010 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 2007, 2008, or 2009 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 (DOC, 255 Kb). This form-fillable document can 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).
Enclose a current resume or curriculum vitae.
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, etc.). Otherwise, the recommendation should be from the Fire Chief.
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 12, 2010 (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
For questions regarding application procedures only, please contact Ms. Mary Wingert at the U.S. Fire Administration, (301) 447-1085 or mary.wingert@dhs.gov.
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 12, 2010, will not be considered.

For more information please visit the USFA or Harvard University/John F. Kennedy School of Government Senior Executives in State and Local Government Web sites.

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.