Statesville Fire Department earns reaccreditation from CFAI, CPSE

Posted on by Mike Fuhrman
Pictured (from left) are City Manager Ron Smith, Steve Taylor, Deputy Chief Kyle Bell, Chief Glenn Kurfees, CFAI Commission Chair Steve Dirksen, Assistant Chief Danny Nicholson, Dr. Joshua Smith, and Mayor Costi Kutteh.

Special to Iredell Free News

The Statesville Fire Department has been reaccredited by the Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI) and the Center for Public Safety Excellence Inc. (CPSE).

This recognition reaffirms the department’s commitment to excellence in service delivery and its dedication to enhancing the safety and well-being of the community.

Since its initial accreditation in 2014, the SFD has remained steadfast in its pursuit of excellence, consistently evaluating and refining its programs and services to better serve the community. The department has undergone rigorous self-assessment processes every five years, aligning its practices with industry best practices and striving for continuous improvement.

Fire Chief Glenn Kurfees expressed pride in the department’s achievement, emphasizing its significance in ensuring the highest quality of service for the community.

“Achieving Accredited Agency status demonstrates our unwavering commitment to excellence and emphasizes our dedication to meeting the evolving needs of our residents,” he said. “This accreditation not only validates our efforts but also serves as a testament to the professionalism and dedication of our personnel.”

Chief Kurfees explained that accreditation plays a critical role in shaping the future path of the agency.

“This accreditation serves as a roadmap for our future endeavors, guiding our strategic planning and ensuring that we remain at the forefront of fire service innovation and efficiency.”

City Manager Ron Smith echoed Chief Kurfees’s sentiments, emphasizing the city’s commitment to enhancing the quality of life for its residents.

“The attainment of accredited status by our fire department exemplifies our city’s dedication to excellence in public safety,” Smith said. “We are immensely proud of the hard work and dedication demonstrated by the Statesville Fire Department in achieving this recognition.”

The accreditation process, administered by CFAI, empowers fire departments to conduct comprehensive self-assessments, evaluate performance against industry benchmarks, and implement strategies for continuous improvement. By voluntarily participating in this process, the SFD reaffirms its commitment to providing exceptional service and ensuring the safety and well-being of the community.

With this reaccreditation, the Statesville Fire Department joins a select group of approximately 312 agencies worldwide to achieve Internationally Accredited Agency status.