Fire Officials Selected for 2012 Harvard Fire Executive Fellowship Program

Four senior fire officials have been selected to receive a fellowship 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 relationships between citizens and government, analyzing policy options and examining the ethical and professional responsibilities of leadership.

The Harvard Fire Executive Fellowship Program is a joint effort between the USFA, the IAFC, the Fire Protection Publications/International Fire Service Training Association (FPP/IFSTA), the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and Harvard.

Those selected for the 2012 fellowships are:

• Claude Beauchamp, Director of Operations, Quebec National Fire Academy, Laval, Que., Canada
• Martha Ellis, Division Chief, Salt Lake City Corporation Fire Department, Salt Lake City, Utah
• Matthew James Fratus, Fire Chief, City of Rialto Fire Department, Rialto, Calif.
• Bertral Washington, Fire Chief, Clark County Fire Department, Las Vegas, Nev.

The selection committee also chose two alternates:

• John Donnelly, Deputy Chief, District of Columbia Fire Department, Washington, D.C.
• Jeffrey Carlisle, Fire Chief, Kelowna Fire Department, Kelowna, B.C., Canada

“It’s a pleasure to congratulate each of these fire chiefs,” said Chief Al Gillespie, IAFC president and chairman of the board. “This is a tremendous opportunity for their personal and professional development, but also for the rest of the fire service community, which benefits from having outstanding personnel represent our industry in such a distinguished, solution-oriented forum.”

The fellowships were awarded by Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government’s admission committee, based on recommendations of a nominating panel of fire and emergency service officers, including program alumni. Applicants must demonstrate significant career accomplishments and the potential to impact and initiate change, as well as present a five-year plan describing how they will use the opportunity to enhance fire-EMS services.

“Embracing higher education and professional development is an essential component of the fire service’s ability to remain effective, efficient and relevant leaders in our communities,” continued Gillespie. “While there are a limited number of fellowships each year, I want to applaud each applicant who stepped forward to take on such a rigorous program. With so many outstanding candidates for this program, it is clear that we are on the right track.”