Accreditation

CFAI-decal-2024.02.06Internationally Accredited

In August 2025, the Cosumnes Fire Department achieved Accredited Agency Status through the Commission on Fire Accreditation International.

This milestone reflects years of hard work, data collection, strategic analysis, and teamwide commitment to raising the standard of service. Of the nearly 30,000 fire departments in the U.S., only a few hundred hold this accreditation, placing Cosumnes Fire among a distinguished group of agencies recognized for operational excellence.

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What is Accreditation?

Accreditation is a comprehensive process that evaluates a fire department’s operations, performance, and alignment with industry best practices. Through self-assessment and independent peer review, departments are measured against 250+ performance indicators that cover all aspects of emergency response, training, risk reduction, planning, governance, financial management, and more.

The Center for Public Safety Excellence (CPSE), through its Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI), leads this internationally recognized accreditation program. The process ensures that agencies are not only meeting today’s standards but are also committed to continuous improvement and long-term excellence in public safety service.

Earning accreditation is a mark of distinction in the fire service. It represents an agency's commitment to transparency, data-driven decision making, and continuous organizational improvement. For the community, accreditation means greater confidence in the quality and reliability of emergency services. For the organization, it fosters strategic focus, staff development, and the discipline to evolve with changing needs and risks.

What’s Involved in the Accreditation Process?

The path to accreditation is a multi-year journey that includes:

  • Self-Assessment: A comprehensive internal review against 250+ performance indicators across 10 key categories.
  • Strategic Planning: Development of a community-driven Strategic Plan to align goals and actions with service expectations.
  • Risk Analysis: Development of a Community Risk Assessment and Standards of Cover (CRA/SOC) to determine local hazards and appropriate response models.
  • Peer Review: An external evaluation conducted by experienced fire service professionals from across the country.
  • Commission Review: Presentation before the CFAI Commission for final evaluation and decision.

Accredited agencies also submit annual compliance reports and undergo re-accreditation every five years to ensure ongoing progress and accountability.

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