Spokane Fire Chief selected into 2018 Fire Service Executive Development Institute

Michele Anderson, Public Safety Communications Manager

Wednesday, November 22, 2017 at 9:21 a.m.

The International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) has announced that Spokane Fire Chief Brian Schaeffer has been accepted into the prestigious Fire Service Executive Development Institute (FSEDI).

Schaeffer competed with new fire chiefs and chief officers from across the country to become a member of the 2018 cohort program. Along with being accepted into the program, Schaeffer has been awarded a scholarship to cover the expenses for attending the program.

“I am honored to have been selected for this opportunity,” say Schaeffer. “I am trying to build an organization where its members are committed to ongoing learning at all levels, including the Chief.”

A complete list of those accepted into the program can be found here.

FSEDI is a yearlong leadership-development program created and implemented by the IAFC to provide new and aspiring chiefs with the tools they need to have successful and productive tenures. The members of the cohort will meet in December 2017 for their first six-day session in addition to two other sessions in 2018. The group will communicate between sessions using an online community. During the course, participants will learn from experts in the fire service a variety of ways to effectively lead in today’s modern fire departments and keep communities safe.

For six years the Motorola Solutions Foundation has provided the IAFC with a grant to fund the program. “Motorola Solutions Foundation recognizes the how these challenging times require a new breed of leader to head our local fire departments and national fire service”, said Matt Blakely, Executive Director of Motorola Solutions Foundation. “We’re proud to help support the education of these leaders to ensure they have the skills necessary to meet these complex and emerging issues confronting our communities.”

About the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC):
The IAFC represents the leadership of firefighters and emergency responders worldwide. IAFC members are the world’s leading experts in firefighting, emergency medical services, terrorism response, hazardous materials spills, natural disasters, and public safety legislation. Since 1973, the IAFC has provided a forum for its members to exchange ideas, develop professionally and uncover the latest products and services available to first responders.