WASHINGTON, D.C. - Application procedures have been established for the 2003 Harvard Fire Executive Fellowship Program. The program will be 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 Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) - United States Fire Administration's (USFA). Each organization will fund the tuition costs of two individuals for a total of eight fellowships.

"This educational experience provides the opportunity for eight senior fire executives to participate in a superior quality professional development program," said USFA Administrator R. David Paulison in announcing the 2003 Program. "The individuals selected will have an opportunity to network and share with other state and local government participants, in an outstanding educational forum, the many contemporary emergency services issues and challenges confronting not only the men and women of the nation's fire service, but all Americans."

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 would be assigned to attend one of the two 2003 session dates: Sunday June 8 - Friday June 28, 2003, Sunday July 6 - Friday July 25, 2003; or a third session scheduled for February of 2004. Applicants must be available to attend any one of the three sessions. Applicants are responsible for travel costs to the final interview process, and if selected also to Cambridge. Housing will be provided at NETC 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 2003

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 NFA'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 2000, 2001, or 2002 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, 2003. An organizational chart of the applicant's sponsoring organization (with applicant's position highlighted) is required. All applicants are encouraged to include a resume with their submission. All packages should be forwarded to the following address:

Harvard Fellowship Program U.S. Fire Administration, National Fire Academy c/o Ms. Mary Wingert 16825 South Seton Ave Emmitsburg, Maryland, 21727.

For questions contact Ms. Mary Wingert @ (301) 447- 1085 or mary.wingert@fema.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 website

(http://www.usfa.fema.gov/dhtml/fire-service/nfa-high2.cfm) and 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).

The USFA is a part of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).