Overview

In 2024, the Center for Public Safety Excellence® (CPSE®) proudly established the Excellence in Credentialing Award to honor agencies dedicated to promoting professional designations among their members. This prestigious award highlights organizations that embody CPSE’s core values, demonstrate a commitment to outcomes, and exemplify progressive leadership in the fire and emergency services industry.

Purpose

The Excellence in Credentialing Award is an annual recognition that aims to celebrate an agency’s commitment to institutionalizing CPSE® credentialing while providing robust support for ongoing professional development. The awarded agency will not only demonstrate improved outcomes but will also present a model that can be replicated across the fire and emergency services sector. Ultimately, this award seeks to recognize, incentivize, and encourage the importance of professional credentialing within the industry.

Eligibility

  • Who Can Apply: Any agency or organization that has adopted the CPSE® Credentialing model and has members who have successfully achieved a professional designation.
  • Exclusions: Past award winners are ineligible to apply for five years following their award. Additionally, agencies of current members of the Commission on Professional Credentialing (CPC) cannot compete.

Evaluation Criteria

Applications will be assessed based on the following four criteria:

  • Replicability Can the organization’s methods for institutionalizing the credentialing process be easily replicated by others?
  • Innovation What unique steps have been taken to implement the credentialing process? Are designations required for promotion, and what support systems are in place to help members achieve these designations?
  • Collaboration Describe the mentoring and coaching processes in place to help members achieve credentialing.
  • Outcomes Provide details on the number and variety of designations held within the organization.

Application Procedures

  • Application Period: Opens July 1st and closes each October 31st.
  • Submission: Complete the online form at https://cpse.hub.cloudgeneration.com by October 31st.
  • Required Documentation: In addition to the information required in the online form above, other Required Documentation includes:
    • An organizational chart detailing personnel numbers in each position.
    • A roster including members’ names, rank, and designation.

Selection Process

  • Applications will be reviewed by CPC subcommittee.
  • Up to three finalists will be recommended for the award.
  • The subcommittee will interview representatives from the finalists and recommend a winner.
  • The CPC Commissioners will review the recommendations and select the award recipient.
  • One award will be presented each year, with recognition given to the other two finalists.

Announcement and Presentation

The winning agency will be announced during the General Session of the CPSE Excellence Conference. While attendance at the session is not mandatory it is encouraged.

More Information

For more information contact the CPC Program Manager.