A new look, a new name, but the continued commitment to helping the first responder in changing from tactical process to strategic improvement!

Our corporation name was changed in March of 2006 to reflect the true mission of the organization that has evolved from just departmental accreditation and improvement to individual improvement. The Commissions continue, in some cases with expanded missions and future improvements planned!

Formed in 1996 through a Memorandum of Understanding between the International Association of Fire Chiefs and the International City-County Management Association, the Center was known as the Commission on Fire Accreditation International, Inc. With the addition of credentialing processes for individuals and the offering of other programs and services, the Center Board of Directors began a process to more clearly communicate the corporate focus and separate it from the mission statements of its Commissions that carry out the focus.

The first step was becoming a non-profit corporation, which took place in 2001 when the Declaration of Trust was dissolved and the new stand-alone corporation created. The final alignment of the corporation and commissions took place in the spring of 2006 following extensive research and design under a contract with Reingold Marketing of Washington DC.

The new look made its debut at the Fire-Rescue International Show in Dallas, Texas. To continue to meet our mission we are working with the National Emergency Number Association (NENA) on Next Generation-911; with the International City-County Management Association (ICMA) on Emergency Management; we created the National Alliance for Public Safety Gegraphic Information Systems (NAPS-GIS); and we updated the Chief Fire Officer designation program to align with Department of Defense standards which resulted in a joint product that no longer requires a reciprocity agreement. We will continue to look at strategic partnerships and alignment with organizations to continue to improve the fire service.

A major effort that got underway this year is a deployment study and analysis that will result in a sweeping update of our VISION risk-management software and that involves work from the National Institute of Science and Technology and Worchester Polytechnic Institute. The study is funded through the Department of Homeland Security and involves a number of organizations including: IAFC, International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), National League of Cities, ESRI, and many others.

Check back often for continued exciting changes and products offerings. We ask the fire service to make the commitment for continual improvement; we promise no less!