Pictured Left to Right: Deputy Chief Darren Stinnett, Peer Assessor Steven Lambert, Chief Roger Robinson, Accreditation Manager Bill Smock, Fire Marshal Colin Hurst, City Manager Mark Johnson, Lt. Steven Owen and CFAI Chairman Tommy Thompson
The City of Alcoa Fire Department has received Accredited Agency status with the Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI) for meeting the criteria established through the CFAl's voluntary self-assessment and accreditation program. The department is one of more than 200 agencies internationally and one of only five within the State of Tennessee to achieve Accredited Agency status with the CFAI and the Center for Public Safety Excellence, Inc. (CPSE). The other accredited agencies within the state being; Bristol, Brentwood, Kingsport and Maryville.
In December 2017, a team of fire service professionals recommended accredited agency status for the department following a four-day site visit to the City of Alcoa. The site visit, conducted by peer assessors from four states, confirmed the department met all criteria established through the CFAl's voluntary self-assessment and accreditation program. The evaluation process included verification and validation of programs and services provided by the department, including in-depth reviews of city and fire department policies, principles and practices. The goal of the CFAI is to assist fire and emergency service agencies throughout the world in achieving excellence through self-assessment, accreditation, and continuous quality improvement in order to enhance service delivery to their communities.
Fire Chief Roger Robinson stated, “The agency's achievement of Accredited Agency status demonstrates the commitment of the agency to provide the highest quality of service to our community. This accomplishment would not have been achieved if it wasn't for the men and women of the City of Alcoa Fire Department, the City Manager and City Commissioner's." Chief Robinson also said, "We have also been able to use the CFAI’s process as a proactive mechanism to plan for the future of the department.