Buckley Fire, Emergency Services receives international accreditation

Buckley Fire and Emergency Services members receive an accredited agency plaque from Commission on Fire Accreditation International members Aug. 15, 2013, in Chicago. The department is one of only 150 international agencies and eight Air Force installations to achieve the accredited agency status with the CFAI and the Center for Public Safety Excellence. (Courtesy Photo)

Published Aug. 22, 2013
By Airman 1st Class Riley Johnson
460th Space Wing Public Affairs

BUCKLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- Buckley Fire and Emergency Services received accredited agency status with the Commission on Fire Accreditation International for completing a two-year self-assessment program Aug. 22 in Chicago, Ill.

The department completed more than 300 checklist items to achieve the accreditation. Some of the main inspected areas were emergency medical services, fire suppression, public education, fire prevention and administration.

A majority of local civilian fire departments have earned this accreditation.

David Herman, Buckley Fire Department fire prevention assistant chief, said he believes, "when working with another one of these accredited agencies, they are going to operate in a similar way because of this accreditation."

The BFD responds to more than 100 joint-department emergencies a year, said Tim Ruperto, BFD deputy chief.

The department is one of only 150 international agencies and eight Air Force installations to achieve the accredited agency status with the CFAI and the Center for Public Safety Excellence.

"I am very proud of how the department accepted and took on the responsibility of making this happen," Ruperto said. "It's a great accomplishment for the department; it says a lot about our department members."