Westfield Fire Department Leadership Program

About the program:

The Westfield Fire Department has been offering an internal Officer Development Program for its firefighters and fire officers since 2021. Starting in 2025, the department's leadership has decided to open the class to other agencies.

The Officer Development Program originated as the Company Officer Development Institute in 2010 and is rooted in the National Fire Academy’s Leadership series. Over time, the course has evolved into a comprehensive six-day program. It has been hosted by numerous agencies both within Indiana and beyond.

Section 1 – The Firefighter / Fire Officer 

To effectively lead others, we must first understand how we function as individuals. This includes: 

·              Leadership fundamentals 

·              Understanding our origins to better navigate where we are headed 

·              Self-evaluation and self-awareness 

·              How to lay out expectations and boundaries for our direct reports. 

Section 2 – The Crew 

Once we understand ourselves, we turn our focus to those we lead. Our leadership style(s) will impact them in various ways. This section covers: 

·              Adapting our leadership styles to better support and balance the needs of those who report to us

·              Clarifying the leader's responsibilities 

·              Identifying whom the people we lead are accountable to 

·              Conflict resolution strategies and live exercise with outside role players.

Section 3 – The Future 

Where is the fire service heading? This section explores the future of the fire service, highlighting that today’s fire officer will face challenges that yesterday’s officer never imagined. 

In addition to the class time, the course has several assignments:

Pre-course Assignment
Selected students must complete a 1–3-page research paper and an online DiSC profile before the course begins.

Assignment 1
At the end of Week 1, students will submit a 1–3-page research paper based on the discussion points covered during the week.

Final Project
For the final project, students will write and present a research paper to their agency. The topic of this white paper will address specific departmental needs.

Location

• The training will be held at the Hamilton County Training Center.

o   The address to use for navigation is 7925 E 160th Street

•  Dress Code

o   Business casual

• Class Schedule:

o   Week 1 – February 3rd, 4th, 5th

o   Week 2 – February 24th, 25th, 26th

• Students must attend both weeks. 

o   0800 – 1400 each day.

Course Cost:

The class is $850 per student, but you pay before the end of 2024 I'll drop the price per student down to $750.   

Lead Instructor

Patrick Harper is a 26-year veteran of the fire service with experience in volunteer, combination, and career fire departments. He currently serves as a Battalion Chief and is a member of IAFF Local 416. Additionally, Patrick is on the faculty of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Leadership Academy and the advisory board for the Federation of European Fire Officers (FEU) Leadership Program.

Notably, Patrick is one of only three Americans to participate in the FEU Officer Development Program.

As the owner of PL Harper Consulting, Patrick provides consulting and instruction in organizational leadership and development across the United States.

He is also a member of the International Society of Fire Service Instructor’s Credential Council. Patrick holds a B.S. in Public Safety Management, an A.S. in Fire Science, and an A.S. in Organizational Leadership.