Cary Fire Dept. Recognized for Excellence Worldwide

September 8, 2010 | Story by: Hal Goodtree | Categories: Featured, News

Photo by Hal Goodtree

Cary, NC – The Town of Cary Fire Department has again been granted international reaccredidation by the Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI). The Commission unanimously approved the Fire Department’s application at its meeting in Chicago.

“We are extremely proud to be reaffirmed as a top fire/rescue agency,” said Fire Chief Allan Cain. “Every day, our staff remains focused on providing the best fire protection and rescue services possible to our citizens.”

It’s Official: Cary has a First Class Fire Department

The mission of CFAI is to assist and improve fire and emergency service agencies around the world in achieving organizational and professional excellence through its strategic self-assessment model and accreditation process.

This past June, a peer review team conducted an on-site visit of the Town of Cary Fire Department. The assessment inspected every aspect of Cary’s fire program, including governance and administration, assessment and planning, goals and objectives, financial resources, programs, physical resources, human resources, training and competency, essential resources and external system relationships.

The Town of Cary Fire Department was initially accredited in 1999 and was last re-accredited in 2005.

The department is one of only 148 fire/rescue agencies in the world to achieve the accredited agency status.

Cary Fire Department Facts

The Cary Fire Department is comprised of 209 full-time employees with a fleet of 15 primary and support vehicles available to respond as needed.

The department was originally created in 1921, and until 1960, functioned on an all-volunteer basis with support from the Town and annual fundraisers. Prior to its creation, the Town of Cary relied on the Raleigh Fire Department for its fire and rescue services.

For fiscal year 2009, the Cary Fire Department’s annual budget was $16.6 million and the department responded to nearly 7,000 fire and first responder calls. Each year, the Cary Fire Department hosts a week-long fire prevention program, and will expand its services with the new Fire Station 8, set to open fall 2012.

“We have an exemplary department, and I very much appreciate the staff’s continued commitment to the highest level of professionalism as they risk their lives to provide a safe and enjoyable environment for our citizens,” said Town Manager Ben Shivar.

In addition to its fire department, the Town of Cary’s Police and Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Departments are also nationally accredited.