Captain Jeffrey Becker of the Hingham Fire Department has been recognized by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for completing The U.S. Fire Administration/National Fire Academy’s prestigious Executive Fire Officer Program.
The Executive Fire Officer Program (EFO) supports the needs of fire and emergency medical services agencies in preparing executive officers to meet the ever-changing demands and dynamic of the communities in which they serve. The program is a multiyear curriculum taught in Emmitsburg, Maryland, and provides its graduates with the leadership skills needed to craft bold and imaginative public policy solutions that keep their communities safe and resilient. Captain Becker is one of 4,695 fire service leaders and only 108 from Massachusetts graduates.
Captain Becker has been with the HFD since 2001. He holds a master's degree in public administration from Anna Maria College. HFD Chief Steve Murphy, also a graduate of the EFO Program, advocated for Captain Becker's acceptance into the program.
The EFO Program requires a Capstone Research Paper of its students. Each capstone project is designed to allow students to investigate a key issue or problem identified as important to their department and community. The completed paper must demonstrate strategic value. Captain Becker’s capstone project focused on recruiting and retaining firefighters, a significant problem facing departments statewide.
“Jeff entered the EFO Program before the Covid pandemic and a curriculum redesign, which set his completion back, but he stuck it out, and we will benefit from the knowledge he acquired,” said Chief Murphy.