Center for Public Safety Excellence

10/08/2026

The Missoula Rural Fire District (Montana) recently conducted a community driven strategic planning event, facilitated by the Center for Public Safety Excellence Technical Advisor Program (TAP). The event, attended by 15 community members and 21 agency members, will help the department chart the roadmap for the future.

For more information on CPSE TAP, go to https://www.cpse.org/technical.../technical-advisor-program

10/07/2026

Registration is now open for the 2027 CPSE Excellence Conference!

Join us March 16–18, 2027, at the Caribe Royale in Orlando, Florida, for the premier event for Fire and Emergency Services Accreditation. Excellence Conference brings together professionals committed to excellence, collaboration, and continuous improvement. Join us for three full days to elevate accreditation, champion professional credentialing, and spark new ideas across the fire and emergency service.

With more than 80 sessions, networking opportunities, the exhibit hall, and CFAI Hearings, offers opportunities to learn, connect with peers, and bring new ideas back to your organization.

Early bird registration is available through January 8, 2027.

Register today: https://university.cpse.org/products/2027-cpse-excellence-conference

09/30/2026

Congratulations to Greg Chesser, CFO for 10 years service as a CPSE ACR Reviewer!

09/29/2026

CPSE congratulates Reginald Freeman, CFO, on his appointment as Fire Chief of the Minneapolis Fire Department in Minnesota.

Chief Freeman brings over two decades of experience to the role, is a current CPSE Board member and a former Commission on Professional Credentialing Chair. We congratulate Chief Freeman on this achievement and wish him continued success as he leads and serves the Minneapolis community.

You can view Chief Freeman’s opening address here: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/e7V-FE-p7b4

09/28/2026

Today, CPSE announced the selection of Kyle Gaffaney as the new Chief Finance and Administration Officer effective September 30, 2026 and Jason Wells as the inaugural Chief Programs Officer effective February 1, 2027.

These new and transitioned roles are the result of a board-approved staffing enhancement plan. The plan has been shepherded by CPSE’s Chief Operating Officer, Debbie Sobotka, who will retire at the end of October.

Welcome to Team CPSE Kyle and Jason!

Read the full blog post at https://www.cpse.org/cpse-announces-senior-staff-transitions

09/24/2026

The Greensboro Fire Department (North Carolina) recently conducted a community driven strategic planning event, facilitated by the Center for Public Safety Excellence Technical Advisor Program (TAP). The event, attended by 33 community members and 29 agency members, will help the department chart the roadmap for the future.

For more information on CPSE TAP, go to https://www.cpse.org/technical.../technical-advisor-program

09/23/2026

The Foxborough Fire & Rescue Department (Massachusetts) recently conducted a community driven strategic planning event, facilitated by the Center for Public Safety Excellence Technical Advisor Program (TAP). The event, attended by 13 community members and 19 agency members, will help the department chart the roadmap for the future.

For more information on CPSE TAP, go to https://www.cpse.org/technical.../technical-advisor-program.

09/11/2026

25 years later, we remember the lives lost on September 11th, the lives forever changed, and the firefighters, emergency responders, and others who answered the call with extraordinary courage and sacrifice.

The events of that day occurred during CPSE’s early formation and underscored the profound scale of responsibility carried by the fire and emergency service.

As we honor those we lost and all those forever affected by that day, we carry our duty forward: to be the catalyst for advancement of the fire and emergency service to help create safe and resilient communities.

09/10/2026

Congratulations to the recipients of 48 new CPC designations awarded this month!

The Commission on Professional Credentialing now recognizes 4,643 professional designations held by fire and emergency service leaders committed to continuous improvement, professional development, and excellence in service.

Current designations:
• CEMSO: 327
• CFO: 2,324
• CTO: 398
• FESA: 60
• FO: 1,087
• FM: 345
• PIO: 102

Search the Credentialing Directory: https://www.cpse.org/credentialing/credentialing/cpc-designees/credentialing-directory

Congratulations to all designees on this important professional achievement.

09/09/2026

Congratulations to Will Anderson, CFO, on his appointment as Fire Chief of the Conneaut Fire Department in Ohio.

Chief Anderson brings more than two decades of fire service experience to his new role and is a Chief Fire Officer (CFO) designee through the Commission on Professional Credentialing. We congratulate Chief Anderson on this achievement and wish him continued success as he leads and serves the Conneaut community.

Conneaut city administration announced a new fire chief was selected Monday.