2026 CPSE Excellence Conference
Call for Presentations Open
We’re Looking for Excellence!
The Center for Public Safety Excellence® (CPSE®) is inviting dynamic innovators and dedicated leaders to present during our 2026 Excellence Conference. This is an incredible opportunity to share your expertise and influence the future of the Fire and Emergency Services. The Excellence Conference is the leading event for Fire and Emergency Services Accreditation.
Dates and Location
March 10-13, 2026 – Caribe Royale Orlando, Florida
Complete the abstract application no later than 5:00 pm Eastern, August 29, 2025
Call for Presentations Deadline
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Presentations should address one of the following subject areas:
- Accreditation 101 – Presentations should align with the basic building blocks outlined in the 10th Edition CFAI Accreditation Model. We seek content that answers fundamental questions and offers practical guidance on the following topics: the application process, developing and implementing a strategic plan, creating a Community Risk Assessment/Standards of Cover (CRA/SOC), preparing the self-assessment manual (SAM), developing and conducting annual program appraisals, and preparing for a site visit.
- Advanced Accreditation– This track is designed for those who have already achieved accreditation and are looking to delve deeper into advanced concepts and cutting-edge practices. Presentations should be tailored to advanced departments and showcase innovative programs and best practices. They should align with the 10th Edition CFAI Accreditation Model and cover advanced topics such as preparing and submitting the annual compliance report, maintaining the core accreditation documents (strategic plan, CRA/SOC, SAM), developing performance measures, developing strategies for data analysis, creating critical task analyses, gaining stakeholder buy-in, and succession planning for the accreditation program.
- Credentialing – Are you a leader in your field with insights into the credentialing process? We invite you to share your knowledge and expertise. Presentations should focus on the various components of the designation application including, but not limited to, the new electronic application process, successful strategies for documentation of education and experience, writing to Designee Development Goals and Technical Competencies, obtaining leadership/labor/management buy-in, and/or sessions covering specific technical competency categories.
- Leadership and Management – Share your expertise and influence the future of the Fire and Emergency Services through knowledge sharing and professional development. Presentations should focus on leadership and management. Content can vary, consisting of real-world situations, anecdotal or hypothetical problems, case studies, or presentations of an author’s work.
- Health and Safety – The wellness of our organizations’ members is paramount to the future of the fire service. We are seeking presentations related to mental wellness programs, personal protective equipment innovations, emerging safety advances, firefighter fitness programs, peer support of health and fitness, occupational health and safety standards, near miss reporting and tracking, health and wellness sustainability, cardiac health innovations, cancer screening best practices, and external agency collaboration for health and safety.
- Innovation Through Technology – Presentations should focus on the innovation, integration, and application of data analysis & visualization tools, GIS, AI, and other related technologies. They should address how the technology relates to operational function, community safety, and training innovation to identify and solve challenges. Presentations may cover the data lifecycle within departments including the data acquisition, cleaning, management, and analysis processes. Presentations should be tailored to a chosen level of beginner, intermediate, and advanced innovation to address the needs of various department sizes and resources. Additionally, presentations mindfully highlight the goal-focused functionality of the innovations and avoid a show and tell approach.
- Community Risk Reduction (CRR) – Community Risk Reduction topics highlight a strategic, data-driven approach to community safety and enable attendees to elevate their risk reduction efforts once back home. Presentations can cover a range of impactful topics, including identifying & prioritizing local risks, setting goals and outcomes measures, and evaluating progress. Topics might help attendees create and implement strategic risk reduction plans and drive data-informed approaches to public education, code enforcement programs, EMS-based risk reduction, the influence of fire investigation on CRR, building relationships with external agencies, and best practices for community engagement to boost understanding of a systems approach to community safety.
Presentations should follow one of the following formats:
- Case Study – analysis of one or more experiences to support/demonstrate a concept or practice (preference will be given to this session format)
- Lecture – oral presentation on a topic (must include audience interaction)
- Workshop – discussion-based or hands-on learning with audience
- Podcast-Style/Dialogue – conversation, interview, or question based “show”
CPSE is looking for presentations of 45 and 60 minutes in length and should be focused at the managerial level. Sessions should allow time for 5-10 minutes Q&A.
Members of the Conference Education Planning Committee will evaluate all proposals based on the following criteria:
- Overall quality,
- Relevance and timeliness to the fire and emergency service community,
- Practical applications of material, and
- Speaker qualifications.
To be considered as a speaker, your presentation must be informative in nature — focusing on solutions or outcomes. Your presentation material must be original; otherwise, reference your sources. Sessions may not include sales, commercialization, or product promotion of any kind. Incomplete program submissions will not be considered.
NOTE: There is a maximum limit of two speakers per proposal.
The final presentation selection will be made in October.
Individuals invited to present at the 2026 CPSE Excellence Conference will receive a complimentary conference registration.
Speakers who are current designees or candidates for designation may list their session in the Professional Contributions/Recognition component of the designee candidate and renewal applications.
CPSE does not reimburse travel and expenses or compensate speakers for their presentations.