Eight senior fire officials have been selected for fellowships 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 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.

The fellowship program for fire service leaders is a joint effort between the USFA and the International Association of Fire Chiefs, the International Fire Service Training Association, the National Fire Protection Association 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, Md., on April 4.

"This Harvard program is considered to be one of the best," said USFA Acting Administrator Charlie 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 fellowships were awarded by Harvard's John F. Kennedy School of Government's admission committee based on recommendations of a nominating panel that included IAFC, IFSTA, NFPA and DHS/USFA representatives, as well as former program participants.

The eight senior fire service officials selected for the 2007 Senior Executives in State and Local Government Program are:

• Chief Robert Creecy, Richmond (Va.) Fire Department
• Chief Clare Frank, Milpitas (Calif.) Fire Department
• Chief William Goodwin, Baltimore Fire Department
• Chief Bruce Martin, Fremont (Calif.) Fire Department
• Deputy Chief Patricia McAllister, Sheriff's Office, Division of Fire Rescue and Emergency Services, Broward County (Fla.)
• Chief Ned Pettus, Columbus (Ohio) Fire Department
• Deputy Chief Kevin Simmons, Howard County (Md.) Department of Fire and Rescue Services
• Deputy Chief Judy Smith-Thill, Maple Grove (Minn.) Fire Department