Press Release
Release Date: October 13, 2004
Application Procedures Announced for the 2005 Harvard Fire Executive Fellowship Program
Emmitsburg, MD-Application procedures have been announced for the 2005 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 -Federal Emergency Management Agency -United States Fire Administration (USFA). Each organization will fund the tuition costs of two individuals for a total of eight fellowships.
USFA Administrator R. David Paulison in announcing the 2005 Program said "the need for cooperation between senior executives in fire and emergency services organizations and their state and local level counterparts has never been greater if we are to successfully respond to the many challenges we face. As a former graduate and recipient of the Harvard Fellowship Program in 1995, I know this experience provides the opportunity for senior fire executives to participate in a superior quality professional development program." Paulison further stated, "those individuals selected have an opportunity to inform and educate other state and local government participants of the many contemporary emergency services issues and challenges confronting society, including fire service roles in preparing for, responding to, and mitigating terrorism situations."
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 will be assigned to attend one of the two session dates: June 12 - July 1, 2005, July 10-29, 2005. Applicants must be available to attend either session. Applicants are responsible for travel costs to the final interview process, and if selected also to Cambridge. Housing will be provided at the National Emergency Training Center for the interview process. Fellows are expected to continue their professional contributions to fire and emergency services in light of their State & Local Program experience.
The following criteria and guidelines have been established for the 2005 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 2002, 2003, or 2004 will not be considered. The program is available to international participants.
A FEMA General Admission Application (Form 75-5) is required and must be postmarked no later than January 31, 2005. An organizational chart of the applicant's sponsoring organization (with applicant's position highlighted) is required. All applicants must include a resume with their submission. All packages should be forwarded to the following address: Harvard Fellowship Program, U.S. Fire Administration, c/o Ms. Kathleen Carter, 16825 South Seton Ave, Emmitsburg, Maryland, 21727. For questions contact Ms. Carter @ (301) 447-1349 or kathleen.carter@dhs.gov . Semi-finalists will be forwarded complete program information and materials for a secondary application process that is essay based.
For more information please refer to the United States Fire Administration/National Fire Academy Web site http://www.usfa.fema.gov/fire-service/nfa/higher-ed/degree_programs/he3b.shtm or the Harvard University/John F. Kennedy School of Government Senior Executives in State & Local Government website http://www.execprog.com/programs.asp?programid=29&displaymode;=view
On March 1, 2003, FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. FEMA's continuing mission within the new department is to lead the effort to prepare the nation for all hazards and effectively manage federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates proactive mitigation activities, trains first responders, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration.
Last Updated: October 14, 2004 11:57 AM
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