Randy R. Bruegman Agency Innovation Award

2024 Randy R. Bruegman Agency Innovation Award

The recipient of the 2024 Randy R. Bruegman Agency Innovation Award is the Spokane Valley Fire Department (SVFD) which successfully executed two innovative fire levy campaigns within six months, using data analytics and community engagement to secure crucial funding. Leveraging geographic and demographic data, SVFD strategically focused on neighborhoods with the highest service usage and employed a multi-channel social media campaign, including infographics, videos, and town hall meetings, to inform and engage the community. The introduction of a “levy calculator” provided transparency on the personal impact of a “yes” vote on residents’ taxes, fostering accountability. The outcomes included successful passage of the levy, enhanced community support, maintained response times, upgraded equipment and training, increased transparency, and improved safety awareness, aligning with SVFD’s strategic goals. The design, development, and implementation involved a well-structured process, with collaboration across departments, a dedicated campaign team, technology integration, and transparent communication. To replicate the innovation, agencies are advised to focus on needs assessment, goal setting, stakeholder engagement, strategic planning, technology integration, communication materials, community engagement, transparency measures, collaborations, and voting drives, as outlined by SVFD’s comprehensive strategy.

Congratulations!

In 2018, the Center for Public Safety Excellence® (CPSE) established the Randy R. Bruegman Agency Innovation Award in recognition of his quarter century of dedicated service to CPSE between 1992 and 2017. Building on CPSE’s core values, this award will be presented to an agency that has embraced continuous improvement, is focused on outcomes, and embodies progressive leadership.

This annual award will be presented to an agency that is internationally-accredited by the Commission on Fire Accreditation International® (CFAI) and has worked collaboratively within their agency and community to innovate a practice leading to improved outcomes that could serve as a model for the greater fire and emergency service. The goal of the award is to recognize, incentivize, and advocate for innovation in the fire and emergency service.

Learn about other CPSE awards or contact CPSE if you have any questions.

Previous winners

2023 Henrico County Division of Fire, Virginia

2022 The City of Riverside Fire Department, California

2021 Clayton County Fire and Emergency Services, Georgia 

2020 Clackamas Fire District #1, Oregon

2019 Lincoln, Nebraska, Fire & Rescue