Florida Fire Fighters Reaccredited by CFAI

September 17, 2009 – City of Bradenton, Florida, fire fighters – who are represented by Suncoast Professional Fire Fighters Local 2546 – continue to be part of an elite few. Local 2546 has been reaccredited with the Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI). Only 134 other fire service agencies in the world have this designation.

“Receiving this accreditation means that we meet or exceed certain fire service delivery criteria,” says Doug Huffman, Local 2546 District Vice President (Bradenton). “But it doesn’t mean we are doing our jobs perfectly. In fact, we did receive a list of areas where we can improve which we are already working on.”

The CFAI has been developing standards for continuous improvements in fire
service for more than 20 years. The accreditation process requires a peer review team of experienced fire service personnel to come onsite and evaluate every aspect of service.

The peer review team brings its findings to CFAI’s 11 commissioners, who meet to determine which fire departments and agencies will receive accreditation. IAFF Assistant to the General President Lori Moore-Merrell serves on the commission.

In 2004, the City of Bradenton Fire Department became one of the first 100 agencies to attain accreditation. The status is valid for five years.

“Since we first received our accreditation, we have noticed that it helps provide us with a certain amount of credibility within the community,” says Huffman. “Many of the politicians we endorse ask us to include our accreditation status in their campaign flyers.”

Click here for more information about CFAI and the accreditation process.