![](https://www.cpse.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Excel-Conference-2019-social-media-icons-v2.jpg)
Joint Board/Commission Meeting
![](https://www.cpse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/CH8_6333-copy.jpg)
Opening Ceremony
![](https://www.cpse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/honor-guard-1-03.12.19-copy.jpg)
Allan Cain, CFO, CPSE’s President of the Board of Directors and Preet Bassi, CPSE’s CEO, discussed the annual report, looking back at what we had achieved in 2018 and what was planned for 2019. A few of the key takeaways were the increase in accredited agencies, the growth in the number of designated officers, and the activity in our Technical Advisor Program. You can find out more detailed information about what CPSE has been doing in 2018 by clicking here to read our 2018 Annual Report, “Coming Together to Achieve More.”
While you are there, you can also download our 5-year strategic plan that we developed in 2016 with a series of strategic initiatives to address critical issues and gaps.
CPSE’s successes and achievements in 2018 would not have been possible without our volunteers. In 2018, 187 peer reviewers spent over 2,000 hours reviewing 803 applications for credentialing. On the accreditation side, 295 peer assessors on 73 teams volunteered 23,000 hours.
Keynote
![](https://www.cpse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/CH8_6798-copy.jpg)
Our opening day wrapped up with a keynote address by Joel Carnes, President and CEO of the Alliance for Innovation. Joel shared his message on how organizations can change the way they do business by building a culture that encourages everyone, regardless of rank and title, to explore and share new ideas.
Learn more about the Alliance and how you can transform your organization.
CPSE Awards
![](https://www.cpse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/hall-award-presentation-03.12.19-copy-300x200.jpg)
Captain Mike Hall and CFAI Chair Chief Steve Dongworth
The 2019 CFAI Ray Picard Award went to Captain Mike Hall (CFO-2012) of the Olathe Fire Department, Kansas. The award recognizes leadership and outstanding contribution to the CFAI and the fire and emergency services, and Captain Hall exemplifies these qualities. He is a strong proponent within the accreditation community, his organization and his community. He has served as an accreditation manager, peer assessor, consortium vice chair, fire officer designee, volunteer on CPSE improvement processes, and as an Excellence Conference presenter. He is committed to this work and sees the value for his own professional development, his agency, and the entire fire service.
![](https://www.cpse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/clouston-award-03.12.19-copy-300x200.jpg)
Assistant Chief Derrick Clouston and CPC Chair Chief Reggie Jackson
The winner of the CPC Ronny Jack Coleman Leadership Legacy Award for 2019 was Assistant Chief Derrick S. Clouston, Stoney Point Fire Department, Fayetteville, North Carolina. This award recognizes an individual committed to elevating the fire and emergency service profession through mentoring, teaching, advocating and sharing outstanding contributions. Chief Clouston obtained his CFO in 2008 and shortly after became a peer reviewer. He has mentored over 150 officers through the designation process. In 2009, he chaired a CPC technical working group in developing the Fire Officer Realignment and Fire Officer Mentorship program. He then beta-tested the Chief Training Officer (CTO) program and became designated in 2012. His genuine compassion and passion for teaching and mentoring were central to his being chosen as this year’s award winner.
![](https://www.cpse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/lincoln-group-pic-03.13.19-copy-300x228.jpg)
CPSE President Allan Cain, Chief Randy Bruegman and Lincoln Fire & Rescue
Lincoln, Nebraska, Fire & Rescue (LF&R) was selected as the inaugural recipient of the 2019 Randy R. Bruegman Agency Innovation Award. This award is presented to a CFAI-accredited agency that has worked collaboratively within their agency and community to innovate a practice leading to improved outcomes that can serve as a model for the greater fire and emergency service. Building on their mission “to protect lives, property, and the environment through the highest level of professionalism while working efficiently as a team with the community and the resources provided,” in 2016, LF&R began measuring and reporting outcomes that really matter to the community, such as saving at least 95% of the value of property and contents threatened by fire and treating and beginning to transport all patients with suspected stroke within 15 minutes upon arrival.
![](https://www.cpse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/pritchard-award-03.12.19-copy-300x200.jpg)
CPSE CEO Preet Bassi and Chief Mike Pritchard
Chief Mike Pritchard, CFO-2010, Director, Fire and Emergency Service Branch, U.S. Marine Corps in Washington, DC, incorporated the accreditation model into the recently updated Marine Corps Order making it mandatory for all USMC fire service to follow. He is also the energy and designer of the first DoD consortium bringing members together to network and build a stronger fire and emergency services system for all.
![](https://www.cpse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/waddell-award-03.12.19-copy-300x200.jpg)
CPSE CEO Preet Bassi and Assistant Chief Carey Waddell
Assistant Chief Carey Waddell, CFO-2012, CTO-2013, FM-2013, with the Beale Fire and Emergency Services in Plumas Lake, California, is a strong advocate for professional credentialing throughout DoD. He has served as a mentor for a number of members, has served as a peer reviewer since 2013, and has taught numerous classes on the credentialing process.
CPSE Exchange
![](https://www.cpse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/CH8_7358-copy.jpg)
The goal of CPSE Exchange was to gather a diverse set of organizations and be a big tent for attendees regardless of rank. The dialogue during CPSE Exchange was open, honest, and attendee-driven. During the session the following topics were discussed:
- Data
- Risk Assessment
- Community Risk Reduction
- Strategic Planning
- Accreditation Process Management
- Program Appraisals
Accreditation and Credentialing
![](https://www.cpse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/hearings-1-03.12.19-copy.jpg)
The Commission on Professional Credentialing also met resulting in a number of additional officers being credentialed. There are now a total of 2,256 designated officers (1,363 CFO, 140 CEMSO, 128 CTO, 157 FM, 468 FO). You can access the lists of designees on our home page under the CREDENTIALING tab.
Recognition Lunches
![](https://www.cpse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/CH8_7080-copy.jpg)
Education Sessions
![](https://www.cpse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/ed-session-copy.jpg)
21st Century White Paper
![](https://www.cpse.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/cpse-10.25.17.png)
![](https://www.cpse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/ICMA-09.27.18.png)
The goal of the white paper is to have active city/county management and fire department experts collaborate to have a fire and rescue service that is better prepared to meet increasing demands while providing transparency in their actions, making decisions based on hard data, and promoting a culture that can adapt quickly and innovate with creativity. Preet Bassi, CPSE’s CEO, and Randy Bruegman, CFO, White Paper Co-Chair, facilitated a feedback session with almost 150 attendees during Conference to gather valuable input for the paper.
![](https://www.cpse.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/nfff-300x300.jpg)
Consortium Coordinators
![](https://www.cpse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/consortium-mtg-03.13.19-copy.jpeg)
In addition to this general session, a specific meeting was held for Department of Defense agencies, as they are spread out over the world, to brief them on the 10th Edition’s progress and to gather their input on possible additions and subtractions for the next edition.
Exhibitors
![](https://www.cpse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/CH8_7156-copy.jpg)
And, before we know it, 2020 will be here – see you in Orlando!