TEMPLE TERRACE FIRE DEPARTMENT
EARNS INTERNATIONAL ACCREDITATION

The Temple Terrace Fire Department has been recognized as one of the top fire departments in America.

The fire department was awarded Accredited Agency status in 2006 by the Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI), a program of the Virginia-based Center fior Public Safety Excellence, Inc. The honor was announced during a banquet ceremony
Sept. 14, 2006 in Dallas, Texas.

Only 125 agencies worldwide have achieved the CFAI accreditation, which is based on demanding performance and
quality-improvement criteria. The honor places the Temple Terrace Fire Department in elite standing as a top-rated fire department
both nationally and internationally.

Because there is no national standard to judge fire departments, fire service accreditation establishes a well-defined evaluation and enables elected leaders and city managers to make critical decisions related to staffing and funding.  Accreditation assures the public that the fire department has a specific mission, continually evaluates the services provided to the community, encourages quality improvement through a self-assessment process, develops a method to address deficiencies, builds on organizational successes
and fosters pride in the organization and the community.

The Temple Terrace Fire Department was the first agency in Hillsborough County to become CFAI accredited. Other area agencies include Largo Fire Rescue, the Bradenton Fire Department and St. Petersburg Fire Rescue.

To view the accreditation report, click HERE.

PHOTO: Fire Chief Keith Chapman (second from right), former Fire Chief Ernie Hiers and former Assistant Fire Chief John Donahue accept the Accredited Agency award Sept. 14, 2006 in Dallas, Texas. The Temple Terrace Fire Department is the first agency in Hillsborough County to become CFAI certified.