Motorola Solutions Foundation Public Safety Grant Funds 5th Year of Fire Service Executive Development Institute

Fairfax, Va. – The International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) has received a significant grant award as part of the Motorola Solutions Foundation’s public safety grant award program. The grant will make it possible for the IAFC to provide a fifth year of the highly successful Fire Service Executive Development Institute (FSEDI). The application period is now open.

Developed by the IAFC, FSEDI provides new and aspiring fire chiefs with the tools they need to have a successful and productive tenure. The members of the previous four sessions have been very successful in achieving fire chief positions and appointments to regional, state and national fire service committees and task groups.

The yearlong program is open to new chiefs (one year or less in the position) and aspiring chiefs (currently applying for chief positions or in department’s succession plan) who have demonstrated a commitment to career advancement and enhancing the fire and emergency service through their leadership.

During the year, the members of the cohort meet three times for sessions conducted at a conference center in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan region. Experts from the fire and emergency service and the private sector will cover many topics, such as

• Ethics
• Leadership in the new era
• Emerging concepts in organizational design and delivery
• Effective use of science and data
• Budgeting and spend management
• Labor–management relations
• How to be successful in recruiting and hiring processes
• Plus many more

This program differs from other executive-level programs in the fire service in that the focus is on real-world and emerging issues around these subjects. As one member of a FSEDI cohort said, “These sessions cover materials I never learned in any of the other ‘chief schools’ I attended.”

Members of the cohort will have assignments to complete between sessions in addition to maintaining communications and networking via an online community. They will participate in mentoring and coaching opportunities and will be introduced to the members of the first four programs as part of expanding their professional networks.

The program is limited to 20 members. It looks to have a diverse group representing all regions of the U.S. and Canada, from various size and types of fire and EMS departments. Chief officers accepted into the program will be awarded a scholarship to cover the cost of transportation, housing and meals for the onsite sessions. They will also be expected to attend Fire-Rescue International in Charlotte, N.C. (this is not covered by the scholarship).

Information on applying for the 2017 FSEDI is available at IAFC.org/FSEDI. Applications are due no later than 5 PM ET on Friday, December 2. 

For more information, please contact Mary Beth Michos.