Prescott Fire Department Earns International Accreditation for Excellence in Public Safety | Prescott Valley Times local news

The City of Prescott Fire Department has been officially awarded accredited status by the Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI), a prestigious distinction that recognizes fire service agencies that meet the highest standards in performance, planning, and accountability. The status was officially conferred after the department answered questions from the 15-member commission on April 3, 2025, at the CFAI hearings in Orlando, Florida.

This marks the second time the Prescott Fire Department (PFD) has earned accreditation, a rigorous, five-year designation that reflects the department’s continued commitment to continuous improvement, external validation, and transparency in service to the Prescott community.

A standout element of this year’s process was the joint development of a Standards of Cover and Community Risk Assessment with Central Arizona Fire and Medical Authority (CAFMA). This collaboration marks the first time in the nation that two separate agencies developed these core planning documents together—a historic achievement that demonstrates regional innovation and cooperation in public safety. Fire Chief Holger Durre said: “We are grateful to CAFMAs leadership and firefighters for being a vital partner in ensuring high-quality emergency services in our region.”

As part of the evaluation process, a CFAI peer assessment team conducted a thorough site visit from December 15–19, 2024, engaging with staff, reviewing operations, and verifying the department’s self-assessment against national performance benchmarks. This external review confirmed PFD’s high standards in areas including emergency response, strategic planning, training, and community risk reduction.

“This recognition is not about the award itself,” Durre continued. “We feel strongly that this is far less about formal and public recognition, but rather about submitting ourselves to rigorous external validation, verification, and transparency to achieve long-term outcomes that benefit the community.”

The accreditation process assesses not only the fire department but also the essential support from other city partners, including the underground water supply, financial accountability, and governance. Prescott City Manager Dallin Kimble stated, “We are proud of the fire department’s efforts and the contributions of other city departments that helped achieve this honor, such as the Prescott Regional Communications Center, IT, Facilities and Fleet, Public Works, Human Resources, Finance, and many more. This was truly a city-wide effort.”

The department’s accreditation is valid for five years. During that time, the PFD will file Annual Compliance Reports (ACRs) to demonstrate continued adherence to the standards before undergoing a full re-accreditation process in 2030.

Prescott joins an elite group of accredited agencies across the world, underscoring its unwavering dedication to excellence, accountability, and the safety of the community it serves.