CPSE at FRI 2019

At the Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI) hearings, 33 agencies appeared before the Commission, which were live-streamed, over three days. Twenty-four agencies were reaccredited, while nine were accredited for the first time. This brings the total number of accredited agencies around the globe to 270, and you can find the complete list on the CPSE website.

• 128th Fire Emergency Services, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
• Adams County Fire Protection District, Denver, Colorado
• Atlanta Fire Rescue Department, Atlanta, Georgia
• Beale Fire & Emergency Services, Beale Air Force Base, California
• Bowling Green Fire Division, Bowling Green, Ohio
• Brentwood Fire & Rescue Department, Brentwood, Tennessee
• Chandler Fire Department, Chandler, Arizona
• City of Calgary Fire Department, Calgary, Alberta
• City of Cedar Park Fire Department, Cedar Park, Texas
• City of Henderson Fire Department, Henderson, Nevada
• City of Maryville Fire Department, Maryville, Tennessee
• City of Shelby Fire & Rescue, Shelby, North Carolina
• Clay Fire Territory, South Bend, Indiana
• Columbus Fire and Rescue, Columbus, Mississippi
• Culver City Fire Department, Culver City, California
• DLA Richmond, Fire & Emergency Services, Richmond, Virginia
• Fort Leavenworth Fire and Emergency Services, Forth Leavenworth, Kansas
• Gilbert Fire and Rescue, Gilbert, Arizona
• Hartford Fire Department, Hartford, Vermont
• Hill Fire & Emergency Services, Hill Air Force Base, Utah
• La Crosse Fire Department, La Crosse, Wisconsin
• Lake Mary Fire Department, Lake Mary, Florida
• Lisle-Woodridge Fire Protection District, Lisle, Illinois
• Louisville Fire Department, Louisville, Kentucky
• Moody Air Force Base Fire and Emergency Services, Valdosta, Georgia
• Newport News Fire Department, Newport News, Virginia
• Ottawa Fire Services, Ottawa, Ontario
• Pompano Beach Fire Rescue, Pompano Beach, Florida
• Puget Sound Regional Fire Authority, Kent, Washington
• Shaw Air Force Base Fire and Emergency Services, Sumter, South Carolina
• Township of Langley Fire Department, Langley, British Columbia
• Union Township Fire Department, Cincinnati, Ohio
• Westminster Fire Department, Westminster, Colorado

CPSE had two programs at FRI this year. CPSE Chief Operating Officer Debbie Sobotka and CPC Program Manager Rick Mason, CFO spoke on “Professional Designation: A Model for Success.” The session focused on how the role that individual self-assessment plays in helping officers to identify strengths and weaknesses to create a road map for achieving career success. Several credentialed officers in the audience shared their experience and benefits achieved by going through the designation process.

As part of the Officer Development Program held during Fire Rescue International, CPSE’s Chief Executive Officer, Preet Bassi, moderated a session with Darin Atteberry, ICMA-CM, City Manager for Fort Collins, Colorado, and Tom DeMint, CFO, Fire Chief of the Poudre Fire Authority, Colorado, titled “If Not Excellence, Then What: City Manager and Fire Chief Collaboration.” Atteberry serves on the CPSE Board of Directors and highlighted what he believes makes for an optimal fire chief, while DeMint, chief of a CFAI-accredited department, showcased the numerous ways he engages with the community. Over 120 attendees remained engaged and left with lessons on focusing on community outcomes and how to continuously improve even if the fire service in a community is its highest rated service.

CPSE Board and commission members along with accreditation team leaders received a first look at the draft of the 10^th edition of the Commission on Fire Accreditation International model.

Held following the close of the CFAI hearings on Thursday August 8^th, 40 attendees were provided an overview of how the draft had been developed and the major changes being recommended. CPSE’s Chief Executive Officer, Preet Bassi, CAE, highlighted that feedback had been sought from approximately 470 individuals during 18 consortium meetings and that almost 70 subject matter experts had worked collaboratively to craft the recommended changes. Karl Ristow, CFO, the CFAI Program Director, introduced the changes and advised that a public comment period would be kicking off in mid-August (now open) and running through the end of September. More information about the 10^th edition of the CFAI Model, including access to the public comment forms and 10^th Edition Draft, can be found at the 10^th Edition pages on the CPSE website.

During the Commission on Professional Credentialing meeting, outgoing Chair Reginald Freeman, CFO, fire chief of the Hartford Fire Department in Connecticut was recognized for his leadership since 2016 and also for his nine years of dedication and commitment of time to the Commission. Chief Freeman will complete his term October 31st. Thank you Chief Freeman!

The Commission also voted in a new Chair and Vice-Chair. Chief Derek Bergsten, CFO, CEMSO, CTO, Career Department Representative and Fire Chief, Rockford Fire Department, IL, was elected to serve as Chair during the next year. Mr. Matt Vinci, At-Large Representative and Director of Education, Training and Human Relations, International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), was elected Vice-Chair. Congratulations to Derek and Matt!