IAFC Releases Officer Development Handbook for Current and Aspiring Chief Officers

Fairfax, VA – The International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) has announced the release of the Officer Development Handbook, a professional development guide for current and aspiring chief fire officers.

Published in partnership with the IAFC Foundation, the handbook is intended to help fire officers at all levels plan a systematic development program for their professional fire service careers.

The Officer Development Handbook outlines four key elements of professional development-education, training, experience and self development. The handbook discusses each of these elements at different levels of a fire officer’s career-supervising fire officer, managing fire officer, administrative fire officer and executive fire officer. Each section also includes an overview of the corresponding National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1021 Standard for Fire Officer Professional Development.

“The IAFC has championed the idea of moving the fire service toward professional status,” IAFC President Ernest Mitchell said. “The Officer Development Handbook is another significant step in that direction.”

The Officer Development Handbook is available electronically at the IAFC Web site, www.iafc.org/downloads/index.shtml. Printed copies will be available in Spring 2004.

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