Strengthening the Global Fire Service Through Experience, Leadership and Collaboration
The International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) International Fellowship Program (IFP) connects experienced international firefighters with leading U.S. fire departments for an immersive, six-month professional development experience.
Fellows work alongside U.S. fire service professionals to gain hands-on operational experience, strengthen leadership and decision-making skills, learn industry best practices, and experience the culture and values of the U.S. fire service.
Since the program began in 2016, more than 200 firefighters have successfully completed the International Fellowship Program, building professional relationships and sharing knowledge across departments, organizations and countries.
About the Program
The IAFC established the International Fellowship Program in 2016 in partnership with Saudi Aramco to provide members of its Fire Protection Department with additional real-world operational experience.
Saudi Aramco maintains a strong prevention and safety culture, which means its firefighters may have fewer opportunities to respond to significant fire emergencies. Because its fire protection operations, apparatus and practices have strong ties to the U.S. fire service, an immersive experience within U.S. fire departments provides valuable opportunities to develop operational and leadership skills.
The program has since expanded to include other international corporations, joint ventures and government organizations.
Participating international organizations typically sponsor 16–32 firefighters each year, divided into two to four cohorts of approximately four to nine fellows. Each cohort is placed with a participating U.S. fire department.
Program Goals
The International Fellowship Program is built around four primary objectives:
- Strengthen core competencies through exposure to active operational environments.
- Develop knowledge, skills and abilities based on fire service best practices.
- Adopt leadership principles demonstrated throughout the U.S. fire service.
- Understand the culture, values and organizational practices of U.S. fire departments.
Fellows return to their home organizations with expanded operational experience, leadership capabilities and practical knowledge they can share throughout their departments.
The Fellowship Experience
The fellowship is designed to provide participants with meaningful exposure to U.S. fire department operations, training and station life.
Fellows generally spend the first two weeks completing skills verification with the host department’s training division. Their competencies are evaluated before they are assigned to stations and begin participating in operational activities. Once released to the field, fellows:
- Work the schedule established by the host department.
- Participate in a minimum 40-hour-per-week schedule.
- Follow all host department policies, procedures and chain of command.
- Ride as supplemental personnel and are not counted toward minimum apparatus staffing.
- Respond to emergency incidents alongside host department personnel.
- Participate in training and professional development activities.
- Contribute to normal station responsibilities alongside department personnel.
Fellows are experienced fire service professionals, and some may already serve as officers within their home organizations. They are not recruit or probationary firefighters. However, host officers determine the operational activities each fellow may perform based on demonstrated competency, department policies and the officer’s level of comfort.
Because of applicable visa restrictions, fellows do not provide direct patient care. They may assist crews with non-clinical activities during medical responses, such as carrying equipment or assisting with patient movement.
Who Are the Fellows?
Participants come from professional, all-hazards fire departments responsible for protecting industrial facilities, communities and other complex environments.
Fellows are selected by their home organizations based on professional performance and experience. Participants may decline the assignment if they choose. Fellows:
- Hold recognized fire service certifications, including Pro Board and/or International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC) credentials.
- Complete required skills verification before operational assignment.
- Meet applicable U.S. visa and background-screening requirements.
- Demonstrate English proficiency and can read, write and communicate conversationally in English.
- Remain employees of their home organizations throughout the fellowship.
Their home organizations continue to provide salary, benefits, medical insurance, workers’ compensation and applicable living expenses during their assignment.
While participating in the fellowship, fellows operate under the direction and chain of command of their U.S. host department.
Host a Fellowship Program
Why Become a Host Department?
The International Fellowship Program provides more than an opportunity to teach international firefighters. It creates a two-way professional and cultural exchange that can benefit the entire host department.
Hosting fellows gives department personnel an opportunity to examine and challenge their own practices while working alongside experienced firefighters with different operational and cultural perspectives.
Benefits include:
- Cross-cultural leadership and professional development.
- Opportunities to share departmental knowledge and best practices.
- Exposure to different fire service experiences and perspectives.
- Professional networking with international firefighters and other participating U.S. departments.
- Opportunities for personnel to develop mentoring, instructional and leadership skills.
- New perspectives on department operations, training and organizational culture.
- Lasting professional relationships across the global fire service.
Unlike a traditional international visit or short-term ride-along, fellows become part of the department’s professional environment for an extended period. This creates opportunities for meaningful collaboration and knowledge exchange.
The cultural experience also extends beyond the station. Host department personnel are encouraged to include fellows in appropriate social and community activities, helping participants experience American culture while developing relationships that can continue long after the fellowship ends.
IAFC Program Support
The IAFC manages the fellowship in close partnership with each host department to minimize the administrative burden on department personnel.
Each cohort is assigned an IAFC subject matter expert (SME) who helps plan and manage onboarding, offboarding and other aspects of the fellowship.
The IAFC program team coordinates with designated host department personnel on:
- Participant onboarding and orientation.
- Skills verification and training.
- Scheduling and station assignments.
- Housing and transportation assistance.
- Program logistics.
- Fellowship requirements.
- Participant offboarding.
This structure allows host departments to focus on providing fellows with a meaningful operational and professional experience while the IAFC manages much of the program administration.
Cost to Host Departments
The IAFC strives to make participation in the International Fellowship Program cost-neutral for host departments.
Depending on the needs of the department and fellowship, the program may provide or fund:
- Personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Station uniforms and boots.
- Fellowship-specific training and instructors.
- Program-related travel.
- Equipment identified in coordination with the host department.
- Other program-related expenses.
Fellows wear uniforms consistent with the host department’s standards, with International Fellowship Program identification distinguishing them from regular department personnel.
The program also works with industry partners to provide current PPE. At the completion of a fellowship, certain equipment provided through the program may remain with the host department.
Participating U.S. Fire Departments
The IAFC has partnered with fire departments and agencies across the United States, including:
- San Diego Fire-Rescue Department, California
- Oklahoma City Fire Department, Oklahoma
- Rogers Fire Department, Arkansas
- Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Department, Maryland
- DeKalb County Fire Rescue Department, Georgia
- Miami-Dade Fire Rescue, Florida
- Columbus Division of Fire, Ohio
- Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District, California
- Greater Naples Fire Rescue District, Florida
- Myrtle Beach Fire Department, South Carolina
- Atlanta Fire Rescue Department, Georgia
- Denver Fire Department, Colorado
- Charlotte Fire Department, North Carolina
- Columbus Fire & EMS Department, Georgia
- Charleston Fire Department, South Carolina
- Henrico County Division of Fire, Virginia
Industry partners, including LION Protects, have also supported the fellowship experience.try partners to provide current PPE. At the completion of a fellowship, certain equipment provided through the program may remain with the host department.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the International Fellowship Program?
Fellows are placed with a U.S. host department for approximately six months. The fellowship includes an initial skills-verification and orientation period followed by operational assignments within the department.
Are fellows experienced firefighters?
Yes. Fellows are experienced fire service professionals from all-hazards departments, and some participants may be officers within their home organizations. Participants hold recognized fire service certifications and complete skills verification with the host department before being released to station assignments.
Do fellows count toward minimum staffing?
No. Fellows ride as supplemental personnel and are not counted toward the host department’s minimum staffing requirements.
What can fellows do during emergency responses?
The host department evaluates each fellow’s skills and determines what operational activities they may perform. Once competency has been demonstrated, fellows may participate in firefighting activities permitted by the department and the officer in charge.
Applicable visa requirements prevent fellows from providing direct patient care. They may assist with non-clinical duties during medical responses.
Who supervises the fellows?
Fellows remain employees of their home organizations, but while assigned to a host department they follow the department’s policies, procedures and chain of command. They report to and follow the direction of the ranking host department officer.
Are participants screened before coming to the United States?
Yes. Fellows complete screening through their home organizations and must satisfy applicable U.S. government immigration, visa and security requirements before participating.
Do fellows speak English?
Yes. Fellows must demonstrate English proficiency as part of applicable program and visa requirements. Participants can read, write and communicate conversationally in English, although accents and levels of familiarity with certain terminology may vary.
What does the program cost the host department?
The IAFC works to make the program as close to cost-neutral as possible for participating host departments. Program funding can support PPE, uniforms, training, instructors, program-related travel and other approved fellowship expenses.
Where do fellows live during the program?
Fellows secure housing during their assignment with assistance from the IAFC and host department as needed. Housing, transportation and living allowances are provided by their home organizations.
Can department personnel include fellows in activities outside the station?
Yes. Cultural exchange is an important part of the International Fellowship Program. Appropriate opportunities for fellows to interact with department personnel, families and communities can help build relationships that continue beyond the six-month assignment.
Who Can Participate?
The International Fellowship Program brings together two primary groups:
U.S. career fire departments interested in hosting international firefighters, sharing expertise and participating in an international professional exchange.
International fire departments, corporations and government organizations seeking immersive U.S.-based professional development opportunities for their fire service personnel.
Interested in the International
Fellowship Program?
Whether your department is interested in becoming a host or your organization would like to explore an international fellowship cohort, the IAFC can help determine whether the program is a good fit.