Newsletter April 2015

The Center for Public Safety Excellence is currently accepting nominations for the following prestigious awards:

• Fire Chief of the Year
• Ronny Jack Coleman Leadership Legacy Award
• Ray Picard Award

We ask that you take time to review the criteria and nomination procedures for each award and think about who you want to nominate.

Fire Chief of the Year Award

The CPSE, along with other select organizations, are invited to submit nominations for the IAFC/Pierce Manufacturing Fire Chief of the Year Awards.

CPSE can submit one nomination in both the Career and Volunteer Chief category. The following information is taken from the IAFC webpage to describe the award criteria:

• A volunteer fire chief is defined as one who earns his or her principal livelihood by some means other than serving as a fire chief, even if the position of chief carries some compensation.
• A career fire chief is defined as one who earns his or her principal livelihood as a fire chief.
• In each category, the status of the fire department as a whole – paid, volunteer or combination – is not considered.
• Individuals who are eligible for nominations and selection as Fire Chief of the Year are limited to active chiefs of departments. Previous Fire Chief of the Year winners are not eligible.
• Selection criteria will emphasize leadership, innovation, professional development, integrity, service to the public and contributions to the fire service as a whole.
• All of a nominee’s fire service activates and accomplishments will be considered, but, because this is the Fire Chief of the Year award, special emphasis will be placed on the period from 2012 through 2014. A nominee’s command role at a major emergency incident, while relevant, will not be enough to place that individual into contention for the award.

CPSE will accept nominations from within our communities of designated Chief Fire Officers (CFOs) and accredited fire departments.

Nomination packages must be received no later than May 29, 2015. An internal selection process will determine the individual who will receive CPSE’s nomination to Fire Chief of the Year.

Click here to download the nomination form.

Ronny Jack Coleman Leadership Legacy Award

This annual award recognizes an individual who holds the Chief Fire Officer (CFO) Designation for their significant achievements and/or contributions to the international Fire and Emergency Service in the following areas:

• Accomplishments (in mentoring and professional development, and can include the credentialing, accreditation process beyond their own agency)
• Initiative (including helping others beyond their own agency through mentoring and professional development, and includes advocacy for the credentialing and accreditation process)
• Technical competence (including serving as an instructor, mentor, peer assessor, peer reviewer)
• Demonstrated leadership and mentoring ability (including advocating professionalism, mentoring, credentialing and accreditation)
• Additional achievements/contributions

Click here to download the award criteria and nomination form.

Nomination packages must be received no later than June 26, 2015.

Ray Picard Award

This annual award recognizes individual superior leadership and outstanding contribution to the Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI) and the accreditation of fire departments in the following areas:

• Accomplishments (within the accreditation process)
• Initiative (including helping others with the accreditation process)
• Technical competence (including serving as a peer assessor, team leader or instructor)
• Leadership ability (including spreading the word)

Click here to download the award criteria and nomination form.

Nomination packages must be received no later than June 26, 2015.

The award recipients will be formally recognized at the annual CPSE awards ceremony being held Thursday, August 27, 2015 at the Westin Peachtree Plaza, Atlanta, GA.

On April 2^nd, 2015, Preet Bassi, CPSE CEO, and Karl Ristow, CFAI Program Director, joined the North Carolina Consortium in Greensboro, NC for their quarterly meeting. This was the first in-person meeting of the consortium since Maria Ratliff, Strategic Initiatives Coordinator, Durham, NC Fire Department, and Susanna Williams, Division Chief of Training and Standards, City of Jacksonville, NC Fire & Emergency Services, took on joint leadership of the group. Discussion focused on the importance of training in departments and attendees shared their ideas for enhancing their existing programs. CPSE staff provided the approximately 45 consortium members in attendance an update on important corporate activities including the Reimagining Project. Many of the group members were CFAI peer assessors and CPC peer reviewers, so the opportunity to gather their feedback given the multiple roles they hold within the CPSE community was invaluable.

Accredited agencies and credentialed professionals have found that banding together to form regional consortiums is an effective networking opportunity. Through the important work of these consortiums agencies and individuals that are new to CPSE programs gain local support in gaining and maintaining accreditation and/or designation. Of the fourteen consortiums in existence, some have been long-established while others are early in the development stage. CPSE staff looks forward to attending at least one of each consortium meeting in-person during 2015.

If you, or someone you know, is interested in starting a consortium in your area, contact Karl Ristow at kristow@cpse.org for assistance.

On April 3^rd, 2015, the CFAI met by web conference and approved the proposed 9^th edition of the accreditation model. Their approval moves the model onto the CPSE Board of Directors for final approval. The CFAI considered the third version of the proposed 9th edition during their April 2015 meeting.

The first version was developed in November 2014 by a thirteen-member technical working group led by Jerry Nulliner. This version was released for public review and received over 900 comments during a 45-day review period. Based on the comments received, a second version was developed and presented to the Reimagining Steering Committee in February 2015 and to the CFAI in March 2015. Based on comments from a March 2015 CFAI meeting, the third version was developed. A fourth version, incorporating minor changes from the April 3^rd, 2015 meeting will be considered by the CPSE Board later this month.

Once the CPSE Board has reviewed and approved the model, the following steps will be taken to ensure the changes are communicated to all involved in the accreditation process:

• The updated categories and associated criteria, core competencies, and performance indicators will be forwarded to all agencies and assessors.
• CPSE will launch a webinar addressing the significant changes between the 8^thand 9^th editions. This webinar will be offered on multiple occasions.
• An interpretation guide to aid agencies and assessors in understanding the CFAI’s intent is being developed. This guide will be a living document and updated, if necessary, following every CFAI hearing.
• The 9^th edition of the Fire & Emergency Self-Assessment Manual and 6^thedition of the Community Risk/Standard of Cover will be published and CPSE will update the corresponding workshops.

In addition to changes to the accreditation model, the Reimagining Project is focusing on process and technology changes. Work on enhancing the accreditation process and utilizing modern technology to facilitate the self- and peer assessment will continue throughout 2015.

The Congressional Fire Services Institute (CFSI) held their annual National Fire and Emergency Symposium in Washington, D.C. in mid-April. CPSE serves as one of the member organizations on the CFSI National Advisory Committee and was a silver sponsor of this year’s 27^th Annual National Fire and Emergency Services Dinner. CFSI has been educating members of congress about fire and life safety issues since 1989 and the theme of this year’s event was “The Future Depends on Informed Leaders.”

On April 16^th, 2015, CFSI and the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) held a joint Town Hall meeting titled “Everyone Goes Home.” During this event, CPSE presented a check for over $4,600 to the NFFF stemming from a fundraiser held during the March 2015 CPSE Excellence Conference. CPSE President, Chief Randy Bruegman, presented the check to Chief Ronald Siarnicki, NFFF Executive Director and Barry Balliet, NFFF Advisory Committee Member, and Vina Drennan, Secretary of the NFFF Board. CPSE is proud to be a bronze helmet sponsor of the NFFF.

Learn more about the great work of CFSI at cfsi.org and of NFFF at firehero.org.

On April 16^th, 2015, the Congressional Fire Service Institute and Masimo honored the Henrico County (VA) Division of Fire with the “Excellence in Fire Service-Based EMS” Award. This award recognizes fire departments from across the nation for developing and enhancing the delivery of emergency medical services to address the growing challenges in delivering emergency medical care. By showcasing these practices, the awards program provides ideas for other fire departments to consider implementing, as they seek to improve their fire service-based EMS systems.

Henrico County was recognized for their cooperative relationships with the U.S. Military and Department of Defense that have enabled the agency to gain access to equipment and training used by the military to treat soldiers in combat. Through these efforts, Henrico Fire has improved its trauma care. Congratulations to Chief Tony McDowell and the Henrico County Division of Fire for the exceptional work they have done in their community.

The Elgin (IL) Fire Department took the first step in putting together its strategic plan recently with a lunchtime session where about 100 invited guests filled out surveys prioritizing services and listing expectations, concerns and strengths.

While Brian Dean of CPSE and Elgin Fire Chief John Fahy look on in the background, about 100 people gathered in the Heritage Ballroom in The Centre Monday provided information that will be used to put together the department’s strategic plan. (Mike Danahey, The Courier-News)

Guests included Mayor Dave Kaptain, civic leaders, business people, nonprofit representatives, neighborhood activists, religious leaders, and members of city staff. Fire Chief John Fahy told those gathered that the plan is not about firefighters for firefighters, but that it is the community’s fire department.

“The strategic plan is community driven,” Fahy told the assembled leaders. “It’s what you expect from the fire department, then we go down that road.”

To put together the map for that road, the department hired CPSE’s Technical Advisor Program (TAP).

Brian Dean, a senior TAP adviser and project manager, facilitated the strategic plan discussion. Dean retired from the Winter Park, Fla. Fire Rescue Department in 2010 after 28 years of service and has been doing consulting work for 10 years. Since retirement, he visits about 20 cities a year for projects similar to the undertaking in Elgin.

Dean likened a good strategic plan to what a GPS system provides to car drivers in that it can help recalculate if need be.

“A strategic plan is a living document, and it can provide guidance should obstacles arise,” Dean said.

Among the participants Monday was Jeff Turner, owner of In The Neighborhood Deli.

“I think this process is important in that Elgin has a great fire department, but there is always room for improvement,” Turner said.

Former Elgin Police and Fire Board Chairwoman Mary Camacho attended the Monday meeting, too.

“I think there are a lot of things the fire department does that many residents might not know, like how Elgin works with other communities on some calls,” Camacho said. “And it’s important for the community to know the department is ready and will be there for them.”

To that end, the department provided its 2014 citizen services overview and annual report to its guests for them to take upon leaving the session. The report noted that the fire department handled 11,543 incidents last year, including 8,500 for rescue and emergency medical services, 493 for hazardous conditions, 1,102 false alarms and false calls, 291 fire calls and 1,157 runs labeled “other emergencies.”

Reprinted from the April 7, 2015 Chicago Tribune. Reported by Mike Danahey

Registration for #‎FirehouseExpo2015‬ is open!

Start Date/Time: Tuesday, July 14, 2015 – 8:00 am Eastern Time
End Date/Time: Saturday, July 18, 2015 – 3:00 pm Eastern Time

Watch this video message from Editor-in-Chief Tim Sendelbach and sign up for this year’s exciting education lineup and special events now: http://firehouseexpo.com

Discover Firehouse Expo. Where Your Training Has Been Upgraded. Learn skills and tactics to take back to your firehouse at Firehouse Expo, committed to providing the most progressive based training and education that current and future leaders need to meet the demands of the ever-changing fire service. Show highlights include:

• 1st Annual Fire-Rescue Competition
• All New Preconference Sessions
• Hands-on Training
• Firehouse Fitness Showcase
• Rip and Run Tailboard Training Sessions
• Fire Family Life Program
• Product Debuts from Leading Fire Service Companies

Special Discover Firehouse pricing applies for Center of Public Safety Excellence agencies and designated officers! Click here for details.

On April 6, CPSE welcomed a new staff member to administer our internal financial and information technology needs.

Prior to joining CPSE, Katie was the IT Systems Administrator for the International Accreditation Service (IAS). Before joining IAS, Katie worked in the Training and Education department at the International Code Council. Katie is a native of Southern California, and being new to the East Coast, is looking forward to exploring and seeing new areas. We all welcome Katie to the staff.

CPSE has several workshops scheduled for the next few months. Register today to reserve your seat at the workshop that meets your needs. Please pass these dates and locations on to your colleagues at adjacent fire departments to help us promote attendance at all workshops.

For course details and registration, go to: www.cpse.org/news/upcoming-workshops-events.aspx.

April 27, 2015
Data Analysis & Presentation
Concord, NC

May 04, 2015
DoD Only: Self Assessment and Community Risk/SOC
Ft. Leavenworth, KS

May 06, 2015
Data Analysis & Presentation
Iowa City, IA

May 07, 2015
Leading Organizations Through Change
E-delivery

May 11, 2015
Self Assessment and Community Risk/SOC
Dayton, OH

May 11, 2015
Data Analysis & Presentation
Orlando, FL

May 12, 2015
Technical Competency – Writing to Achieve Designation
E-Delivery

May 14, 2015
Credentialing: A Pathway to Personal & Professional Excellence
Dayton, OH

May 15, 2015
Nurturing Fire Service Leaders Through Mentoring
Dayton, OH

May 19, 2015
The First Year as a Newly Promoted Chief Officer
E-Delivery

June 03, 2015
Community Risk & SOC: What Drives Your Business?
E-delivery

June 09, 2015
Self Assessment and Community Risk/SOC
Wausau, WI

June 10, 2015
Data Analysis & Presentation
Colorado Springs, CO

June 15, 2015
Self Assessment and Community Risk/SOC
Bensenville, IL

June 16, 2015
DoD Only: Self Assessment and Community Risk/SOC
Newport, RI

July 14, 2015
Firehouse Expo
Baltimore, MD

July 15, 2015
Small Data Sets – Challenges in Measuring Performance
E-Delivery

July 21, 2015
Self Assessment and Community Risk/SOC
Prescott, AZ

July 22, 2015
CFAI Peer Assessor Workshop – July 2015

August 03, 2015
Data Analysis & Presentation
Manassas Park, VA