ROGERS — The Fire Department was reaccredited by the Center for Public Safety Excellence at the Fire Rescue International Conference in San Antonio last week.
Accreditation by the Commission on Fire Accreditation International is awarded to only 234 of the nation’s 33,000 fire departments. Rogers Fire Department and the Little Rock Air Force Base are the only two bodies in Arkansas to achieve it.
“These programs are worth it to show elected officials and the public that we’re doing good things and care about improving, that we’re not satisfied with the status quo,” said Fire Chief Tom Jenkins. “We’re better today than we were a year ago.”
This is the second time for Rogers Fire to be accredited by the Commission on Fire Accreditation International. Little Rock and Springdale fire departments are undergoing the accreditation process, but have not achieved it yet. Surrounding states such as Oklahoma, Missouri and Texas have accredited fire departments as well, but they are few and far between.
“We’re one of six cities in the U.S. that has both fire dispatch and police accredited as well,” said Mayor Greg Hines. “That’s a statement, a testament to our professional public safety and the commitment and investment we’re willing to give to accomplish that.”
The process determines community risk, safety needs and examines “service levels and internal performance, compares them to industry best practices and establishes a method for achieving continuous organizational improvement,” according to the commission’s website.
“Getting reaccredited is important because it holds us accountable” to taxpayers, Jenkins said. “It’s important that when we introduce a new program that there’s some rubric to be measured by. We want to make sure citizens know we’re working hard for them and doing what we need to be doing as profession to serve them.”
The Commission on Fire Accreditation International is made of representatives from a variety of fire departments of all sizes. During the accreditation process, a number of those representatives visit the department in question to inspect, observe and review the department’s self assessment.
Rogers Fire Department was peer reviewed by representatives from Charlotte, N.C.; Denver; Kansas City and Canada.
“Having peers come in from all over the United States galvanizes you, gives you a roadmap,” Jenkins said. “Of course, I think what we do is great, but for other people to evaluate it … make sure we’re credible and tell us areas to improve is good.”