Charlie Dickinson, Acting Administrator of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) announced that along with three other partners eight senior fire officials have been selected for fellowships to attend the Harvard University’s Senior Executives in State & Local Government Program this summer at the John F. Kennedy School of Government. The 19-day program includes other State and local government leaders from across the country and focuses on exploring the interrelationships between citizens and government, analyzing policy options, and examining the ethical and professional responsibilities of leadership.
“We are pleased to participate with the IAFC, NFPA and IFSTA to support bringing elected officials, careerists, and appointed executives together to examine and discuss critical challenges facing state and local governments. This Harvard program is considered to be one of the best,” said Dickinson. “These individuals will be exposed to a very talented faculty within a very diverse learning environment. We believe that they will return home with new-found knowledge to assist their communities in preparing for emergencies and overall improving the quality of life.”
The fellowship program for fire service leaders is a joint effort between the USFA and the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), the International Fire Service Training Association (IFSTA), the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), and Harvard. Each organization funds two fellows. The final element of the competitive selection process was conducted recently at USFA’s National Emergency Training Center, in Emmitsburg, Maryland, on April 4.
The fellowships were awarded by Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government’s admission committee, based upon recommendations of a nominating panel that included representatives of IAFC, IFSTA, NFPA, DHS/USFA, and former program participants. USFA has been involved in supporting these Fellowships since 1984.
The eight senior fire service officials selected for the 2007 Senior Executives in State & Local Government Program are:
- Robert Creecy, Fire Chief, City of Richmond (Virginia) Fire Department
- Clare Frank, Fire Chief, City of Milpitas (California) Fire Department
- William Goodwin, Fire Chief, City of Baltimore (Maryland) Fire Department
- Bruce Martin, Fire Chief, City of Fremont (California) Fire Department
- Patricia McAllister, Deputy Chief, Sheriffs Office–Division of Fire Rescue & Emergency Services, Broward County Florida
- Ned Pettus, Fire Chief, City of Columbus (Ohio) Fire Department
- Kevin Simmons, Deputy Chief, Howard County (Maryland) Department of Fire & Rescue Services
- Judy Smith-Thill, Deputy Chief, City of Maple Grove (Minnesota) Fire Department
