In February 2023, for the first time, the Commission on Professional Credentialing® (CPC®) surpassed 3,000 credentialed professionals. At 3,063 designations, this is the highest number of credentialed professionals CPC has ever awarded. Formed in 2000 to award designation to fire and emergency service professionals worldwide, CPC, along with the Commission on Fire Accreditation International® (CFAI®), operates within the Center for Public Safety Excellence (CPSE).

“This tremendous achievement is the direct result of the dedication of CPC designees, commissioners, and volunteers,” commented CPSE Board President Mary Cameli, CFO, Fire Chief of Mesa Fire and Medical in Arizona. “Being a CPC designee myself, I appreciate how thorough and rewarding the process is. It’s an honor to be among such dedicated professionals as we celebrate this historic milestone.”

From its inception, CPSE has valued having a diversity of stakeholder involvement, including company and chief officers, labor, city/county management, standard development organizations, insurance, and the federal government on our board and commissions.

The mission of CPSE to lead the fire and emergency services to excellence through the continuous quality improvement process of accreditation, credentialing, and education is carried out in large part by a multitude of dedicated volunteers. Thousands of individuals over the last 23 years have contributed to this milestone achievement by establishing the CPC designation process, developing six designations, and serving as CPC commissioners, peer reviewers, and mentors.

“To reach 3,000 designees is a momentous occasion for the CPC,” shared CPC Chair Toni Washington, CFO, Fire Chief of the Decatur (Georgia) Fire Department. “If it were not for the individuals who believe in the process to become designated, and the dedicated volunteer peer reviewers, this historic achievement would not have been accomplished and it would not have been possible without the immeasurable hours put in by the volunteer peer reviewers and mentors. The individuals that make up the volunteer cadre are instrumental in making the CPC process successful. I would like to offer my heartfelt thank you to all who volunteer to ensure continuous quality improvement for those individuals who support the CPC process.”

CPC Credentialing is a professional designation model that recognizes career excellence and offers strategies for continuous personal improvement. The Commission on Professional Credentialing offers six distinct designations covering the various levels and specialties of individuals, including:

CPC provides an application process that individuals use to develop a portfolio along with training and support while developing their portfolio, and access to experienced peer reviewers. 

“Individuals that engage in continuous improvement efforts such as seeking a professional credential are to be commended for approaching their work in an introspective and progressive manner,” said CPSE Chief Executive Officer Preet Bassi. “Those that maintain their designations and a commitment to continual growth enjoy a full and successful career.”

In 2000, the Commission on Chief Fire Officer Designation (CFOD) was first established to credential fire and emergency service officers and in 2006, as part of an organizational restructure, CFOD was renamed the Commission on Professional Credentialing. Between 2008 and 2012, CPC would add four additional designations: Chief Emergency Medical Services Officer (CEMSO), Chief Training Officer (CTO), Fire Marshal (FM), Fire Officer (FO), and in 2022, CPC launched the Public Information Officer (PIO) designation. Also in 2022, CPC updated the technical competencies for all designations and added three new critical areas exceeding the requirements of other industry standards: Data and Analysis; Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; and Mental and Behavioral Health, which are all essential competencies for today’s fire service professional.

CPC designees work in many arenas such as fire and EMS, law enforcement, emergency management, and in the private sector, local, state, federal, and tribal governments, and universities. They can be found across the globe in the United States, Canada, Germany, Guam Italy, Japan, Puerto Rico, Saudi Arabia, and United Kingdom.

“One thing that all of these designees have in common is the satisfaction of self-improvement and moving the needle of excellence,” commented CPC Program Manager Mike Higgins, CFO, CTO and CEMSO. “These individuals have proven that continuous improvement for professional credentialing can be accomplished with hard work and dedication.” 

If you are interested in learning more about becoming a designated professional, click here or contact CPC Program Manager Mike Higgins.