Public Safety, Security, and Crisis Leadership
FDNY Officers Management Institute (FOMI)
Launched in 2002 in the wake of 9/11, the FDNY Officers Management Institute (FOMI) provides leadership and management training to current and future leaders of the New York City Fire Department (FDNY). The program is custom designed in partnership with the FDNY for sixteen chiefs and high-ranking civilian personnel. Participants meet in residence one-week per month over the course of eight months.
Blending theory with practice, FOMI focuses on organizational strategy, crisis leadership, performance management, communications, and technology-based innovation. An important feature of the FOMI program is intra- and interagency cooperation, including on group projects. Twice honored by Harvard’s Innovations in Government Program, FOMI has become a staple for advancing quality leadership in the FDNY.
For over two decades, the Picker Center for Executive Education has provided customized programs to train current and future leaders in the areas of public safety, security, and crisis leadership. The Center's faculty include the former New York City Deputy Mayor for Operations; the former First Deputy Commissioner and Chief of Staff for the New York City Police Department (NYPD); the former Assistant Chief and founding director of the Center for Terrorism and Disaster Preparedness of the New York City Fire Department (FDNY); and the world’s top authorities on the dynamics of cyber security and the directors of the Cyber Initiative.
Courses combine lectures, case study analysis, interactive workshops, executive coaching, industry panels, action learning projects, and site visits to agencies in the New York City area, including the New York State Attorney General's Office; the New York City Mayor’s Office of Technology and Innovation and 311 Data Center; the New York City Police Department (NYPD) Office of Data Analytics, Cyber Command, and Joint Security Operations Center; and the Fire Department of New York City (FDNY) Training Academy and Data Analytics Center.
Previous Programs
Police Management Institute (PMI)
The Police Management Institute (PMI) is an eight-month custom program for the New York City Police Department (NYPD) first launched by Columbia University in 1989. The program focuses on strategy, operations, leadership, and communications and is a foundational element for leaders of the NYPD. Over the course of eight months participants work on projects and present their findings to NYPD leadership. PMI is widely known as the best police management program in the United States.
ISTARI Cyber Academy
In partnership with the ISTARI Cyber Academy, the Picker Center developed a Digital Risk Leadership program for senior managers at the Singapore Sovereign Wealth Fund. The program focused on the digital risks facing Asian businesses, with sessions on developing a digital risk management strategy, navigating the challenges of the illegal economy, and partnering with government to lead meaningful change. The Picker Center also developed several case studies on cyber security for the program.
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
The Picker Center was commissioned by the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to develop a program for approximately 80 high-level FAA managers to further advance the Administration's mission of providing the safest and most efficient aerospace system in the world. The program focused on building skills in the areas of communication, personnel leadership, and negotiation, with an emphasis on how these skills can be applied to manage performance.
Collaboration and Integrated Policies for Public Security in Brazil
In partnership with Comunitas and the Columbia Global Center Rio, the Picker Center organized a program on Collaboration and Integrated Policies for Public Security for Brazilian government officials, including governors, mayors, senators, and secretaries of state. By leveraging innovative models, the program was designed to foster collaboration across government sectors to support Brazil in developing a more effective public security framework.
Featured Case Study
Sony Cyber Attack
Through the PMI program I learned the leadership and management skills to take on the challenge of a larger, more demanding precinct. This program offers the potential for a promotion. Joann Baney facilitates the program with care, professionalism, and genuinely enjoys working with members of the NYPD. Outstanding program and I have experienced why it is held in such high regard.
—Deputy Inspector Eric J. Waldhelm, Commanding Officer, the 120th Precinct of the New York Police Department
FOMI has taught me to look into the future and prevent and plan for issues before they arise. Having had the opportunity to work alongside members in the department from different disciplines has given me a better understanding of day-to-day operations. The cadre at the Columbia FDNY FOMI program is outstanding. I am grateful for the opportunity to have studied and shared the experience with them. The staff and professors were top notch. A wealth of knowledge and experience.
—Nicholas Aiello, EMS Deputy Chief, Division 9, New York City Fire Department Bureau of Emergency Medical Services
The FOMI program is a great way for members of the FDNY to improve their professional profiles. The program and faculty instill the confidence needed to dig deep within oneself to learn and become a better manager and leader. Attending FOMI is one of the most rewarding things I have done. Excellent course in leadership training for the future of our department.
—FDNY Officers Management Institute (FOMI) program participant
The PMI program is extremely valuable. It is essential for self-growth to help gain perspective in dealing with relationships. It is also valuable to know the department you have invested in is investing in you. The lessons of the program are for the most part very relevant to my daily assignment and life outside the job. Many of the lessons can be implemented immediately.
—Police Management Institute (PMI) program participant
The FOMI program has prepared me for the challenges faced within my current and future roles. I have a more global approach to the operational aspects of the organization. The program has helped breakdown silos within the organization to expand my knowledge of other bureaus in order to work together towards a common goal. The amazing staff along with the experience is a definite must for any organization willing to develop and grow its executive leadership.
—FDNY Officers Management Institute (FOMI) program participant
I believe that PMI is essential to prepare the next executive leadership in the department. It focuses on personal, professional, and networking aspects of the job, while providing the tools to assist in implementing them. The program changes your perspective on so many aspects of life and allows you to see much deeper into who you are as a person and pushes you to grow into a stronger individual. PMI was an opportunity of a lifetime.
—Police Management Institute (PMI) program participant
What I took away from my participation in the Police Management Institute program is executive-level decision making processes, especially during times of crisis. Since participating in the PMI program, I have received three executive-level discretionary promotions within my agency.
—William Viscardi, Deputy Chief, Intelligence Division, New York City Police Department
The program expanded and deepened my views on all the aspects of leadership, decision-making in crises, intersectoral work between agencies, anti-money laundering, combating international drug trafficking, and controlling organized crime, to obtain maximum efficiency for public security. After 27 years of academic and practical experience carrying out the role of a head of public security, I believe this program expanded the knowledge that is essential for the day-to-day defense of citizens and civil society.
—César Augusto de Camargo Roveri, Public Security Secretariat of Mato Grosso, Brazil
Contact Us
Columbia SIPA Picker Center
Contact us to learn how the Columbia SIPA Picker Center can work with your team to develop a program uniquely tailored to your organization’s learning goals and deliver a profound impact on your long-term organizational success.
Laura McCreedy
Manager of Executive Education and Training
[email protected]
SIPA | COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY
420 W 118th St Room 400 | New York, NY 10027
+1 212-854-0791