Leadership / Officer Development Program (ODP)
Elevate Your Career in Fire Services: Join the Officer Development Program at FEU!
Do you know or are you a dedicated and passionate fire professional looking to take your career to new heights? The Federation of European Fire Officers (FEU) invites you to explore our Leadership Officer Development Program (ODP), designed to empower and equip aspiring leaders with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in fire services.
At FEU, we understand the pivotal role that leaders play in the fire services sector. The Officer Development Program is crafted to provide a tailored learning experience for fire professionals who aspire to take on leadership roles within their organizations. Whether you're a seasoned officer or a rising star, our program is designed to meet the unique challenges of leading in today's dynamic and complex emergency services landscape.
Learning and professional exchange with your European colleagues is facilitated online, using a variety of learning methods. On completing the program, you will have acquired knowledge and skills you can use in your place of work, and you will have expanded your professional network for future collaboration.
The program is aimed at fire officers who have a minimum of 5 years’ strategic work experience at a senior/executive level. A bachelor’s or master’s degree from an accredited institution for higher education is required for entry, as well as proficiency in English at the B2/C1 level.
Program leader
Jakob Vedsted Andersen
E-mail: jakob.vedsted@f-e-u.org
Members
Sebastian L. Vries, Germany
Jan Jorissen, Belgium
Marko Ruu, Estonia
Diemer Kransen
Jakob Vedsted Andersen, Danmark
2026 edition
The fifth edition of ODP takes place 18-22 May 2026 and is being organized, facilitated, and hosted by the Lund University 's Division of Risk Management and Societal Safety, in Sweden. The participants will have the opportunity to gain insight into strategic topics that are relevant to the fire services in Europe.
Who can participate?
The program is aimed at European employees within the European Fire and Resue Service who:
- Have a minimum of 5 years’ strategic work experience, which means they are responsible for decision-making at that level within their organizations;
- Have attained a bachelor’s or master’s degree from an accredited institution for higher education;
- Can demonstrate proficiency in English (minimum B2 level );
- Are motivated to learn and work with their European colleagues, focussing on strategic topics.
What is on the ODP 2026 agenda?
The program content takes shape following two main themes that have been inspired by FEU meeting outcomes and international developments. These themes are:
- Future-proofing the fire services; sustainability is an important theme.
- Fire services working together, learn from each other on different organisational topics.
Planning and Costs
Planning and costs for the 2026 Officer Development Program are underway. Details coming soon!
Interested?
Are you a potential participant and do you require further information at this stage? We would like to ask you to contact your FEU country representative. If they can’t answer your query, they will contact the ODP organization on your behalf. If you are interested to participate, your application will go via your FEU country representative as well.
or contact:
Jakob Vedsted Andersen / Board member FEU
Program leader Leadership / ODP
Delegate Denmark
jakob.vedsted@f-e-u.org
ODP Class’23 participants
ODP Class’23 participants are offered to join the ODP Alumni network that will create a firm foundation for future collaboration among participants.
A primary and first goal for the ODP Alumni network is to maintain updated and current information of all participants so it is possible in an easy way to stay in contact with ODP peers. Thereby enable ODP participants to create and keep connections in a way that will help with their strategic focus, leadership, and organizational development.
Have a look at the after movie of Class'22: here
Testimonials
FEU focuses on three main programs
