The Center for Public Safety Excellence (CPSE) announced the selection of IAFF Assistant to the General President for Training, Education and Grants Administration Dr. Joshua Smith, Ph.D., CFO, as the Labor Representative on its Commission on Professional Credentialing (CPC).
“Credentialing is a vital aspect of the fire service, and the Commission on Professional Credentialing stands out as the industry leader,” said Smith. “Representing labor in this capacity is a true honor for me.”
Smith, a retired Chief Fire Officer, brings over 20 years of experience in emergency services and adult education. He joined the IAFF’s staff in 2022.
“Josh is the only labor representative on the CPC commission, and his presence is necessary for advocating for labor interests and shaping the policies that govern the certification process,” said Thomas Breyer, IAFF’s Assistant to the General President for Technical Assistance & Information Resources.
The CPC consists of 12 members representing a range of fire and emergency services, including career, combination, volunteer, and Department of Defense fire departments, along with city and county management, and labor.
Including labor representatives is crucial to address the interests of fire service professionals in policy and standards development.
Thomas Breyer, IAFF’s Assistant to the General President
At the IAFF’s 56th Convention in Ottawa, Resolution 29 was adopted, emphasizing the importance of increasing the IAFF’s representation on the CPSE board and commissions.
“As more departments become accredited by the Commission of Fire Accreditation International (CFAI) and individual certifications through CPC, it is clear that the results of these two processes involve our members’ conditions of work,” said Breyer. “Including labor representatives is crucial to address the interests of fire service professionals in policy and standards development.”
In addition to Dr. Smith’s appointment, James Mitchell, president of Carmel, IN Local 4444 and 5th District Vice President of the Professional Fire Fighters Union of Indiana, along with Dave Coker, president of Greensboro, N.C. Local 947, have also been appointed as new labor representatives on the CFAI. Mitchell represents an agency serving fewer than 100,000 people, while Coker represents agencies serving populations over 100,000.
“As an IAFF appointee to the commission representing departments with a population under 100, 000, I look forward to bringing my labor perspective and experience to the commission and sharing how labor involvement in the process plays a significant role in a department’s efforts of self-assessment and continuous improvement,” said Mitchell.
“I’m exceptionally excited and humbled to be appointed to the CPSE Accreditation Board,” said Coker. “It is critically important that labor have a voice in the Accreditation process and hearings. We cannot have a serious discussion about continual improvement without the inclusion of labor.”
The CFAI accredits fire departments and emergency services with a 13-member board from various sectors including fire departments, city and county management, labor, standards, and the U.S. Department of Defense.
“We pushed for CPSE to truly embrace diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) by considering all classifications, income levels, and other factors,” said Breyer. “Initially, we had one seat and were outnumbered, so we fought for more labor seats. This expansion is a major win, giving us more influence and seats at the table.”
