Category: CPSE On the Road

CPSE Mourns the Loss of CPSE Founder – Chief Ronny Jack Coleman

The Center for Public Safety Excellence (CPSE) mourns the loss of one of our founders – Chief Ronny J. Coleman, State Fire Marshal, (Ret.), passed away peacefully on September 21, 2023, at Mercy General Hospital in Sacramento.
“We will forever be indebted to Chief Coleman for his vision and commitment in making the fire and emergency service better,” shared Mary Cameli, CPSE Board President. “We will continue to be grateful for his leadership in paving the way forward for CPSE. He will be missed by all.”
Chief Coleman was engaged with CPSE since its inception. Beginning in the mid-1980s, he oversaw the design and implementation of the early accreditation process. When the organization, then called the Commission on Fire Accreditation International, now CPSE, was incorporated in 1996, Chief Coleman became our inaugural chair. He served in this role through 2003.
“I had the honor of getting to know Chief Coleman before my time at CPSE. He was a tireless advocate for continuous improvement and genuinely connected with everyone he met,” reflected Preet Bassi, CPSE Chief Executive Officer. “Interviewing him at his home in 2016 for the CFAI 20 Year History Video is among my fondest memories of him.”
When in 2021, CPSE celebrated our 25th Anniversary, we once again sought out Chief Coleman’s perspective as one of the Faces of CPSE for a video about formation of the Commission on Fire Accreditation International. In all the moments that have been captured and in the numerous that have been missed being captured, Chief Coleman’s love for and dedication to the fire service and to the men and women that embody it shined through.
In 2010, the Commission on Professional Credentialing established the Ronny Jack Coleman Leadership Legacy Award. We designed this annual award to recognize individuals who exemplify the ability, character, and dedication to lifelong learning and display the leadership attributes embodied by Chief Coleman.
Chief Coleman was a 50-plus year veteran of the fire service. Following his service and leadership as the Fire Chief in San Clemente, California, and the Fire Chief in Fullerton, California, he was appointed as California State Fire Marshal from 1992 to 2000 by Governor Pete Wilson. Chief Coleman was the past President of the International Association of Fire Chiefs and has been a member and leader of numerous fire service committees and associations. He has given us all an incredible legacy with his dedication to our training and education. He championed the California State Fire Training system both as the Division Chief and as the Chairperson of the Statewide Training and Education Advisory Committee. He has authored more than 19 books and was influential within our industry as an advisor, leader, mentor, and friend.
Chief Coleman is survived by his wife, Marie, his son Chris Coleman (North Carolina), his daughter Lisa Coleman (Colorado), and their families.

CPSE Appoints Battalion Chief James Mitchell to the Commission on Fire Accreditation International

The CPSE appoints Battalion Chief James Mitchell, City of Carmel Fire Department, Indiana to the Commission on Fire Accreditation International® (CFAI®) as the Labor President of a CFAI accredited agency with a population of less than 100,000 representative.
Since 2006, JC Mitchell has served as a Battalion Chief with the City of Carmel Fire Department (IN), a CFAI accredited agency. He has been a Nationally Registered paramedic since 2010. JC has been serving on the executive board of the Carmel Professional Fire Fighters IAFF local 4444 since 2011 and has filled the presidents’ role since 2019. Chief Mitchell also serves on the executive board as 5th District Vice President for the Professional Fire Fighters Union of Indiana.
Chief Mitchell has a bachelor’s degree from Purdue University in Agriculture and his master’s degree in public administration from Purdue University Global.

CPSE Appoints Captain Dave Coker to the Commission on Fire Accreditation International

The CPSE appoints Captain Dave Coker, Greensboro Fire Department, North Carolina to the Commission on Fire Accreditation International® (CFAI®) as the Labor President of a CFAI accredited agency with a population of more than 100,000 representative.
Dave Coker began his fire service career in 2005. He is currently a Captain with the Greensboro Fire Department (NC), a CFAI accredited agency, where he serves as the shift Safety Officer. Captain Coker was elected President of the Professional Fire Fighters of Greensboro IAFF Local 947 in 2011. Local 947 is the largest union of active duty firefighters in the state of North Carolina.
Captain Coker holds an associate’s degree in Fire Protection Technology from Coastal Carolina Community College.

CPSE Learning Opportunities

Quality Improvement Workshops

CPSE Sponsor Webinar

On Demand Webinars

Resource Documents

At the Center for Public Safety Excellence® (CPSE®) we are excited to bring you the latest learning opportunities to advance your department and career.

Quality Improvement for the Fire and Emergency Services Workshop – 3 Days, In-Person
Civilian Workshops
Click here for for more information and to register for civilian workshops. 

September 26-28 – Marysville Fire District Regional Fire Authority, Marysville, WA

October 3-5 – York Area United Fire and Rescue, York, PA

October 4-6 – Goodyear Fire Department, Goodyear, AZ

October 17-19 – Spring Fire Department, Spring, TX

October 17-19 – Cosumnes Community Services District Fire Department, Elk Grove, CA

November 7-9 – Kingsport Fire Department, Kingsport, TN

November 14-16 – Colorado River Fire Rescue, Rifle, CO

Click here for for more information and to register for civilian workshops. 

DoD Only – Quality Improvement for the Fire and Emergency Services Workshop – 3 Days, In-Person
Click here for more information and to register for DoD workshops.

November 7-9 – Naval Support Activity Souda Bay Fire & Emergency Services, Souda Bay, Greece (DoD Only)

November 14-16 – MCBH K-Bay ARFF, Kailua, HI (DoD Only)

Click here for more information and to register for DoD workshops.
 

CPSE Sponsor Webinar

Darkhorse Emergency: Answering the Forgotten Question: Using Diagnostic Analytics to Support Continuous Improvement

Esri: Leveraging GIS to Enhance the Fire Service Accreditation Process

Intterra: Data-Driven Resilience

FirstWatch: Fire Operations and Accreditation Monitoring and Reporting

ImageTrend: Taking the Intimidation our of Community Risk Reduction

Click here for Sponsor Webinar Recordings.

On-Demand Webinars and Resource Documents
We encourage you to take the time to access these free resources in the CPSE University:
On-Demand Accreditation Videos

Writing the Four-Part Answer – A webinar explaining development of the four-part answer for the self-assessment manual.
Performance Statements – A webinar explaining development of performance statements.
Creating a Strategic Plan – A webinar explaining the creation of a community-driven strategic plan.
Developing Strategic Plan Goals and Objectives – A webinar explaining how to develop effective goals and objectives for a strategic plan.
Tech Writing 101 – click here for an overview of the Advanced Technical Writing Certificate Program at George Mason and click here for more detailed information and how to register.

Resource Documents

Annual Appraisals – A handout to assist with developing annual appraisals.
Critical Tasking – A handout to aid in conducting critical tasking for all emergency response types.
Engaging Stakeholders – A handout explaining how to engage stakeholders in the CRA/SOC process.
Fire Department Strategic Plans and Community Master Plans: Are They The Same? – A handout comparing and contrasting fire department strategic plans and community master plans.
Performance Statements – A handout outlining how to develop performance statements.
Writing the Four-Part Answer – A handout explaining development of the four-part answer for the self-assessment manual.
Completing the Designation Application – Learn tips on completing the designation application for CFO, CTO, CEMSO, FM, or FO
21st Century Fire and Emergency Services White Paper – Handouts and videos on the critical issue areas. 

CPSE is looking for agencies to host the Quality Improvement for the Fire and Emergency Services workshop in 2023. If you are interested in hosting a 2023 workshop, download the hosting agreement for more information. 
For questions or assistance contact info@cpse.org or 703-691-4620.

CPSE Appoints Chief Rick Potter, CFO, to the Commission on Fire Accreditation International

Rick Potter is fire chief of the Shawnee, Kansas, Fire Department, a CFAI accredited agency. He began his career in 1990 with the Pueblo, Colorado, Fire Department where he moved up through the ranks to deputy fire chief until he retired and was appointed fire chief in Shawnee in 2020.
Chief Potter holds a bachelor’s degree in Fire Services Administration from Western Oregon University and a master’s degree in Public Administration from American Public University. Chief Potter earned his designation as a Certified Public Manager from the University of Kansas. Chief Potter earned his designation as Chief Fire Officer in 2015.

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