In conjunction with the usfa, U.S. Forest Service and National Association of State Foresters, the National Volunteer Fire Council is offering "Volunteer Fire Departments in Wildland Fire Suppression - A Train the Trainer in Performance-based Systems and Cooperative Partnering in the Urban Interface."

Offered at Forsyth, Ga., Jan. 14-16, and Austin, Texas, Feb. 4-6, the course will explore how volunteer fire departments can move toward national performance-based training standards in wildland and interface fire suppression.

It will include discussion on current national training standards, how these apply to volunteers, how to obtain training and how to develop interagency partnering. Participants will be able to present programs on performance-based training programs within their respective states. Four individuals per state will be selected by the nvfc and nasf to participate in the seminar.

To receive an order form, call 888-ask-nvfc or e-mail your request to .

Application procedures have been established for the 2000 Harvard Fire Executive Fellowship Program.

The program will be sponsored by the National Fire Protection Association, International Association of Fire Chiefs and National Fire Academy. nfpa will cover the tuition costs, and the iafc will provide assistance with interview and program travel expenses.

Six senior fire executives will be awarded fellowships to attend the three-week program, which is conducted on the Harvard campus in Cambridge, Mass. Selected fellows would be assigned to, and must be available to attend, one of the two 2000 session dates, either June 11-30 or July 9-28.

The following criteria have been established for the 2000 program:

* Application is open to senior fire executives who have demonstrated significant career accomplishments and have the potential to initiate change. A senior position is less important than demonstrated experience in facilitating change within a public-sector setting.

* Preference might be given to applicants who are graduates of the nfa's Executive Fire Officer Program, although program completion is not a prerequisite.

* Preference also might be given to applicants who have completed graduate-level degree programs or course work.

* Individuals whose organizations have been represented in the program during 1997, 1998 or 1999 will not be considered.

A fema General Admission Application (Form 75-5) is required and must be postmarked no later than Jan. 31, 2000. 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.

Forward packages to Harvard Fellowship Program, Attn: Cynthia Wivell, National Fire Academy, 16825 S. Seton Ave., Emmitsburg, Md. 21727.

Semi-finalists will be sent complete program information and materials for a secondary application process. For questions about the application procedure, please contact Wivell at 301-447-1083.