The Township of Langley Fire Department is the first agency to become an internationally accredited agency in the province of British Columbia, in Canada. The accreditation team of the Township of Langley Fire Department appeared before the Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI) in Atlanta, Georgia, on August 8, which marked the final step in the department’s journey towards earning accreditation from the CFAI.
Accredited Agency Status
Having answered numerous questions and satisfied a panel of eleven Commissioners from across Canada and the US, the Township received Accredited Agency Status for meeting the criteria established through the CFAI’s voluntary self-assessment and accreditation program.
The Township of Langley Fire Department is the ninth agency in Canada to earn Internationally Accredited Fire Organization standing.
CFAI accreditation
The Chief added that the rigorous accreditation program will provide better data and information for Council"
“Accreditation is about self-improvement,” said Township of Langley Fire Department’s Fire Chief Stephen Gamble, adding “This is a huge step towards enhancing our decision making processes, when it comes to serving the community. Through accreditation, the Township Fire Department’s performance and professionalism will be raised, regarding the resources we deploy, the services we provide, our cost-effectiveness, and how we report to the public.”
“As good as we are today, we want to make it better tomorrow,” said Stephen Gamble, adding “The Chief added that the rigorous accreditation program will provide better data and information for Council and senior management to help with decision-making related to its Fire Department resources and programs.”
First British Columbia fire department to be accredited
“We are thrilled to be the first in BC to achieve accreditation,” said Township of Langley Mayor, Jack Froese, adding “Having this status will allow the Fire Department and Council to plan for the future and ensure we continue to provide the best service possible to our residents, businesses, and visitors.”
The Township of Langley Fire Department is the second-largest accredited fire department in Canada to utilize both careers and paid call firefighters, after the Ottawa Fire Department.
Highest quality of service to community
“A lot of effort went into earning this accreditation and we appreciate the hard work that made it happen,” said Township of Langley CAO, Mark Bakken, adding “This process demonstrates the Fire Department’s commitment to providing the highest quality of service to our community, and is an investment that will pay off for years to come.”
The Township’s bid to secure accreditation began in February 2017. With Township Deputy Fire Chief, Monty Armstrong serving as Accreditation Manager, the process involved hundreds of hours of consultation and the development of three documents: a Community Risk Assessment/Standards of Cover, a Six-Year Master Plan, and a Self-Assessment Manual that required the department to meet 252 performance indicators.
Peer Team review
These documents were validated during a site visit held in June, by a Peer Team made up of fire officials from across Canada and the US. The Team conducted independent interviews with Township staff and made the recommendation that the Township should be accredited.
The accreditation includes 17 recommendations for the Township to work towards over the next five years when the Department will then move forward on its second accreditation application. Annual progress reports must be provided to the CFAI, and the Township will serve as an ambassador of the accreditation model and assist other municipalities to achieve Accredited Agency status.
Public input via online survey
During the accreditation process, the Township of Langley Fire Department asked for public input
During the accreditation process, the Township of Langley Fire Department asked for public input through an online survey. Additional surveys focusing on more specific questions will be held, as the Township strives to meet the recommendations and maintain its Accredited Agency status.
The Township of Langley Fire Department is one of more than 250 agencies to achieve Internationally Accredited Agency status with the CFAI and the Center for Public Safety Excellence, Inc.
Commission on Fire Accreditation International
The Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI) is dedicated to assisting fire and emergency service agencies throughout the world in achieving excellence through self-assessment and accreditation, to provide continuous quality improvement and the enhancement of service delivery to their communities.
The CFAI process is voluntary and provides an agency with an improvement model to assess their service delivery and performance internally, then works with a team of peers from other agencies to evaluate their completed self-assessment.