In 2016, the Center for Firefighter Injury Research and Safety Trends (FIRST) developed the inaugural Fire Service Injury Research, Epidemiology, and Evaluation (FIRE) Fellowship to give students the opportunity to work with and serve community partners with real world data and get immersed in the fire service through field experiences. Fellowship recipients, or “FIRE Fellows,” collaborate on analysis of fire service data using both quantitative and qualitative methods. Many Fellows have used the summer immersion as their required Applied Practical Experience (APE) and many continue this work as their second year master's thesis.

Meet the Alumni

The FIRST Center conducts research in several areas, including:

1. Stress and violence in fire-based EMS responders
2. Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the fire and rescue service
3. Organizational safety climate assessment
4. Mental health concerns associated with the COVID-19 pandemic
5. Policy research and practice
6. Non-fatal injury data system development

This ten-week, paid, full time, summer intensive training period gives Fellows the opportunity to work on all on currently funded project(s), but Fellows will be given a specific project to call their own.

The FIRE Fellowship gives Fellows...

the opportunity to learn and be trained in:

• Qualitative and Quantitative methods
• Data management
• Preparing and communicating survey results with community partners 
• Working and building relationships with stakeholders
• Injury classification systems such as ICD-9-CM and WCIO
• Haddon, Barrell, and E-code Matrix use and applications
• Exploratory data analyses
• Advanced statistical analyses

the opportunity to develop the following professional competencies:

• Collaboration over Competition
• Hierarchy of Help
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
• Leading Teams
• Public Speaking
• Remote Work Skills

Application Criteria FAQ

When is the FIRE Fellowship?

• The 2023 Fellowship begins Tuesday, June 20th, and ends Friday, August 25th

Who can apply for the Fellowship?

• Rising 2^nd year master's students and graduates
• Accelerated BS/MPH candidates
• International students are welcome

What skills do I need?

• Knowledge in social science, policy, and/or epidemiology are encouraged to apply
• Previous EMT or firefighter experience is helpful, but not necessary
• Will need to complete CITI and HIPAA IRB trainings prior to beginning the fellowship

What other requirements are there?

• Must commit to on-campus presence during the summer intensive training period (40 hours per week)
• May have the opportunity to continue this work with mentorship from FIRST as their second year ILE upon receiving a fellowship position (priority will be given to those who are willing to continue this work)

How do I apply?

• Applications for the 2023 FIRE Fellowship are CLOSED. Stay tuned for 2024 updates!

For more information or questions regarding the FIRE Fellowship, please contact Education & Training Coordinator, Alex Fisher (abt57@drexel.edu)