Department Receives International Accreditation from Commission on Fire Accreditation International at September 2006 IAFC Conference

After many months of working on the accreditation self-assessment, the Fire Department has once again achieved International Accreditation Status from the Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI) and the Center for Public Safety Excellence.

On September 13, 2006 members of the Department attended the Commission's meeting in Dallas, Texas. At this meeting, our Peer Team Leader Mr. Warren Savage presented his report of findings based on the Peer Team visit which took place in May 2006. At the end of his report, Savage advised the Commission that the Peer Team was recommending Accredited Agency status for the Winter Park Fire Department.

This award marks the second time WPFD has been through the Commission's Accreditation Process. Initiated in 1997, the "process" of becoming Accredited is not considered a journey to a final place but a way of life, of doing business. "It has certainly changed and defined our service" said Chief White in his comments to the Commission in Dallas.

The maintenance of International Accredited status in Winter Park makes WPFD currently one of the few Central Florida Fire Departments to be Accredited. More than 200 agencies are now accredited throughout the world.

The 2006 Accreditation Team consisted of Assistant Chief Brian Dean (Accreditation Manager), Battalion Chief Tim Notartomaso, Lieutenant Mark Adams, who also served on the 2001 Team. Joining the Team in 2006 were Engineer Jimm Walsh and Firefighter Dan Hagedorn, President IAFF Local 1598.

When asked about the placement of the department in the big scheme of things, Dean stated, "this is indicative of the type of department we have in Winter Park. This department has always been part of the trendsetters in Central Florida. It is the type of excellence we demand of ourselves as well as the excellence the residents of Winter Park demand of their department."

Pictured from L to R: Lieutenant Mark Adams, Assistant Chief Brian Dean, Fire Chief Jim White, Battalion Chief Tim Notartomaso, Engineer Jimm Walsh and Firefighter Dan Hagedorn. The Accreditation Team received the Award of Accreditation for the Department at the September 14, 2006 CFAI Banquet in Dallas, TX