Gainesville Fire Rescue earns international reaccreditation

Published on February 29, 2024

Gainesville Fire Rescue (GFR) was awarded Accredited Agency Status at a hearing today in Orlando. This honor from the Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI) marks the third time Gainesville Fire Rescue has earned this prestigious recognition.

According to the Center for Public Safety Excellence, the nonprofit organization that manages this accreditation process for fire agencies, the departments that receive CFAI accreditation are community-oriented, data-driven and outcome-focused. For Gainesville Fire Rescue and others, it indicates an adherence to best practices, an ability to meet high standards in training and facilities, and the existence of programs that look after the health and wellbeing of its first responders.

Gainesville Fire Rescue Chief Joe Dixon believes the five-year review process provides an opportunity for agencies such as GFR to examine and improve operations, as the process of seeking accreditation simultaneously promotes a continuing cycle of refinement and evaluation.

“This reaccreditation shows that our agency and the City of Gainesville are dedicated to providing the best possible service to our community,” said Chief Dixon. “Reaching this level of excellence means we focus on all aspects of protecting and keeping people safe. We are a department that is doing the work consistently and well, each and every day.”

 City Manager Cynthia W. Curry accompanied the leaders of Gainesville Fire Rescue to today’s hearing in order to share information about the agency’s programs and accomplishments with the review board.

 “This is a very proud day for the City of Gainesville and specifically the Gainesville Fire Rescue Department,” City Manager Curry said after the review. “It is a substantial achievement to receive this reaccreditation — a seal of professional excellence in meeting the high standards of operational competency.”

 Agencies earn accreditation following successful peer review of departmental reports and documentation, completion of an onsite assessment, and a public hearing such as the one GFR participated in today. Accreditation is valid for five years Gainesville Fire Rescue first earned this status in 2014 and has now received two reaccreditations. It is one of 29 fire departments in Florida to be awarded Accredited Agency Status through CFAI and the Center for Public Safety Excellence.