For the third consecutive cycle, the Alcoa Fire Department in Alcoa, Tennessee has received Accredited Agency status with the Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI) for meeting the criteria established through the CFAI’s voluntary self-assessment and accreditation program. The Alcoa Fire Department is one of 301 agencies to achieve Internationally Accredited Agency status with the CFAI and the Center for Public Safety Excellence, Inc. (CPSE).
Alcoa Fire Department is one of the seven career fire departments in the state that has earned accredited status. Other accredited agencies in Tennessee include Brentwood Fire & Rescue Department, Bristol Fire Department, Johnson City Fire Department, Kingsport Fire Department, Maryville Fire Department, and Murfreesboro Fire Rescue Department.
CFAI is dedicated to assisting the fire and emergency service agencies throughout the world in achieving excellence through self-assessment and accreditation to provide continuous quality improvement and the enhancement of service delivery to their communities. The CFAI process is voluntary and provides an agency with an improvement model to assess their service delivery and performance internally and then works with a team of peers from other agencies to evaluate their completed self-assessment.
Fire Chief Roger Robinson stated that the agency’s achievement of Accredited Agency status “demonstrates the commitment of the agency to provide the highest quality of service to our community.” Chief Robinson also said, “We have also been able to use the Commission on Fire Accreditation International’s process as a proactive mechanism to plan for the future of this agency and locate areas where we can improve on the quality of the services we provide to the citizens of Alcoa.”
The Alcoa Fire Department dedicated five years to conducting a systematic and community-based review of the departments and programs to identify best practices and areas to improve services, all while utilizing data to make decisions on improving performance. Being re-accredited is just another step in the process of maintaining a robust strategic plan, community risk assessment and standards of cover, while routinely assessing all the programs within the Alcoa Fire Department.
Mayor Tanya Martin adds, “I was so proud of Chief Robinson and the Firemen that accompanied him to the re-accreditation. They made an impressive sight in their dress uniforms and represented our city well. I don’t think anyone really understands the amount of work and planning that it takes to earn an CFAI Accreditation. Thank you, Chief Robinson and the entire City of Alcoa Fire Department, for a job well done and for your continued commitment to the citizens of this community.” 
From left to right: Fire Captain Steve Owen, Fire Captain and Accreditation Manager Blaine Howell, Deputy Fire Chief Colin Hurst, Fire Chief Roger Robinson, CFAI Chairman Steve Dirksen, Mayor Tanya Martin, City Manager Mark Johnson, Commissioner Eddie Hall, and Vice Mayor Tracey Cooper.