Okotoks Fire & Rescue has earned Accredited Agency status from the Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI), recognizing the department’s commitment to excellence, accountability and continuous improvement in emergency service delivery. Okotoks is now only the ninth Canadian municipality, and the second in Alberta, to achieve this prestigious international designation.
With the designation, Okotoks Fire & Rescue joins a select group of just over 300 accredited agencies worldwide, including Canadian fire services in Calgary, the District of North Vancouver, Halifax, Kennebecasis Valley, Kingston, Ottawa, Regina and Toronto.
“This is an exceptional achievement for Okotoks and a testament to the professionalism, dedication and determination of everyone involved,” said Mayor Tanya Thorn. “Accreditation required several years of work, supported by Council and employees across the organization. Council is incredibly proud to see this commitment recognized internationally and what it means for the safety and well-being of our community.”
Accreditation is awarded through a rigorous voluntary review of all aspects of a fire service, including governance, community risk, emergency response, training, workforce development, infrastructure, financial resources and performance measurement. Okotoks Fire & Rescue completed a comprehensive self-assessment before its findings were independently reviewed and validated by a team of fire-service professionals.
As part of the process, the department completed a Community Risk Assessment and Standards of Cover, which uses local risks, response data and service demands to guide planning and set clear performance expectations. This resulted in an evidence-based roadmap for serving a growing and increasingly complex community.
“Achieving accreditation reflects years of dedication and collaboration, not only within Fire & Rescue, but among employees across the Town who support and enable this essential service every day,” said Chief Administrative Officer Elaine Vincent. “It confirms that our decisions are grounded in evidence, our service levels respond to community risk, and our organization is committed to learning and improving. I am proud of the entire team and confident this process has strengthened our ability to provide safe, effective and reliable service to the community.”
Accreditation also establishes an ongoing framework for measuring performance, addressing opportunities for improvement and adapting services as community needs evolve.
“This designation demonstrates our commitment to providing the highest quality of service to the people of Okotoks,” said Fire Chief Trevor Brice. “The accreditation process challenged us to examine every part of our organization, recognize what we do well and identify where we can continue to improve. It has strengthened how we plan, make decisions and prepare for the future while keeping the protection of lives and property at the core of everything we do.”
Background
The Commission on Fire Accreditation International is part of the Center for Public Safety Excellence, a not-for-profit organization that supports fire and emergency service agencies in improving performance through self-assessment, accreditation and professional credentialing.
The CFAI accreditation model provides agencies with a structured framework to assess service delivery and organizational performance. A peer assessment team of experienced fire-service professionals reviews and validates the agency’s findings before accreditation is considered by the Commission.
Accredited agencies remain accountable to CFAI requirements and must demonstrate an ongoing commitment to performance measurement and continuous improvement.
Learn more about Okotoks Fire & Rescue at okotoks.ca/fire