FSEDI Participants Complete First Week of Yearlong Executive Development Program

Fairfax, Va. – Twenty-two members of the 2014 Fire Service Executive Development Institute (FSEDI) have completed the first week of their yearlong program. This is the second year of the International Association of Fire Chiefs' Institute, made possible through a grant by the Motorola Solutions Foundation's Public Safety and Security Institute.

During the week, the group heard from nationally recognized speakers on topics ranging from developing personal and organization values and being successful in fire chief selection processes to labor management issues, servant leadership, marketing yourself and presenting a positive image and work/life balance. The group had planned evening activities every night, focusing on teambuilding and social interaction. They also had an opportunity to tour the monuments in Washington, D.C., at night.

One participant during the session, Deputy Chief Anthony Pike, Orleans (Mass.) Fire Department, received the news that the Orleans Board of Selectmen had appointed him the new fire chief for his department, effective May 16. With Chief Pike's promotion, there are now three new chiefs and 19 aspiring fire chiefs in the program. They geographically represent all the divisions within the IAFC.

At the end of the week, Assistant Chief David Whiting, Columbus (Ohio) Division of Fire, said that the session "represents a quantum leap in resources I have to be successful." Many members of the cohort stated that the program was by far the best they have taken to prepare them to lead their fire departments.

The members of FSEDI 2014 will gather at Fire-Rescue International in Dallas in August and meet again for their second session at the end of October. Until then, they will continue to communicate via an online forum on IAFC KnowledgeNet. They are also working on projects to enhance the fire and emergency service at the local, regional or national level.

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