On August 5th, 2024, during the Center for Public Safety Excellence (CPSE) Summer Symposium, CPSE introduced the CPSE Center for Innovation. A wholly owned 501 (c)(3) nonprofit subsidiary, the CPSE Center for Innovation will address an industry-wide gap in evidence-based decision making.

The CPSE Center for Innovation Open House invited potential partners and sponsors to learn more about the new organization and its five programs.

Mary Cameli, CFO, Fire Chief of the Mesa (AZ) Fire and Medical Department, and CPSE President, commented that “by highlighting innovative solutions developed by CPSE accredited fire departments and credentialed fire professionals, the CPSE Center for Innovation will serve as a catalyst for innovation for the fire and emergency service.” Chief Cameli is known throughout the industry for both her professional and department’s leadership in innovation.

Part think tank and part policy incubator, the CPSE Center for Innovation will encompass five programs: Innovation Training and Facilitation, the virtual Innovation Museum, Actionable Research, Insight Hub, and Expert Finder.

CPSE CEO Preet Bassi

“The Innovation Training and Facilitation program will build on our existing expertise in delivering training and facilitation while the Innovation Museum will provide a highly curated experience through an online platform showcasing proven practices from the CPSE community,” shared Preet Bassi, CAE, CPSE’s Chief Executive Officer.  Given her championing of data and technology in the industry, Ms. Bassi further shared “we are excited to harness artificial intelligence in the development of the Insight Hub through a proprietary large language model that will ingest decades of information for CPSE agencies allowing users to seek focused and customized insights.”

Chief Mary Cameli

Speaking about the Actionable Research program area, Chief Cameli highlighted that “we plan to work with prominent researchers to provide actionable recommendations and implementation strategies to amplify their important work and conduct new public administration and policy research.” CPSE is committed to industry collaboration, and building on this, Chief Cameli went on to share “we are thrilled to have confirmed partnerships with Science to the Station: A Health and Wellness Alliance and the National Academy of Public Administration.”

Dr. Reggie Freeman

Given his significant expertise on foundational and emerging topics in the industry, Dr. Reginald Freeman, CFO, Chief Risk Officer HAI Group and CPSE Vice President, discussed the Expert Finder and how “it will not only curate existing expertise but incubate new expertise through mentorship, sponsorship, and amplification.”

The five programs will be implemented in a phased approach. Through the end of 2024, the CPSE Center for Innovation is securing additional partnerships and sponsorships to launch later this year and begin operations in the first quarter of 2025.

Additional information about the CPSE Center for Innovation can be found at www.innovationcpse.org.