Internationally Accredited
The Arizona Fire & Medical Authority has been awarded Accredited Agency status for a third time by the Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI). Due to COVID-19, the award was presented via Zoom in January 21, 2021. There are 288 accredited agencies out of approximately 49,000+ fire departments throughout the country and thirteen accredited agencies in Arizona. This accreditation status continues to verify that under AFMA's leadership, the highest standards for effectiveness and efficiency in responding to emergencies.
CFAI is an entity of the Center for Public Safety Excellence that assists fire and emergency service agencies in achieving organizational and professional excellence through its strategic self-assessment model, accreditation process, and continuous quality improvement. CFAI accreditation has international credibility because its standards are the leading edge in fire protection.
“This continued recognition as an Accredited Agency demonstrates the Authority's professionalism, excellence in organizational development, and strong commitment to providing outstanding fire and emergency services to our residents,” said Governing Board Chairman David Wilson.
Fire Chief Robert Biscoe said, “I want to express my sincere thanks to every member of the Authority and particularly the accreditation team for the effort put forth during the re-accreditation process. I also want to thank the members of the Authority's Governing Board for their continued support of the organization. Without their commitment, we could not continue to achieve this recognition.”
Accreditation status culminates rigorous preparation by the Authority's staff and scrutiny by the accreditation team. Following a period of self-assessment, a four day on-site evaluation took place by a team of peer assessors from across the country. The evaluation process included verification and validation of programs and services provided by the Authority, and in-depth reviews of Authority policies, principles, and practices as they relate to more than 240 performance indicators.
Achieving Accreditation status for the third time is only one step in CFAI’s continuous improvement process. Maintaining accredited status requires annual compliance reports and another full re-accreditation process in five years.
What does this mean for the citizens of the Authority?
The Arizona Fire & Medical Authority is committed to completing the re-accreditation process every five years. Information regarding the process, including timelines, will be posted as information becomes available.
The Arizona Fire & Medical Authority is committed to completing the re-accreditation process every five years. Information regarding the process, including timelines, will be posted as information becomes available.
Being accredited and maintaining the highest ISO public protection rating confirms that the Arizona Fire & Medical Authority is resolute in ensuring that its citizens receive the finest services that are delivered anywhere in the United States.
Additionally, this status requires the Authority to continuously evaluate itself to achieve quality improvement. This means that Authority citizens receive top-notch services that are analyzed, verified, and validated as being best practices. It also solidifies that the Authority will continue to improve and evolve as the fire service and emergency medical services evolve as well.
Visit the Center for Public Safety Excellence website for a list of accredited agencies.