Rochester Fire is now one of just 334 departments worldwide to earn CFAI accreditation and one of only 124 in the nation to pair it with the ISO Class 1 fire protection rating

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — The Rochester Fire Department has earned Accredited Agency status from the Commission on Fire Accreditation International, a program of the Center for Public Safety Excellence, marking a major milestone for the department and the city it serves.

The accreditation is awarded to fire departments that meet demanding national standards in areas including operations, training, safety and community risk reduction, the city said in a press release. The designation is recognized internationally and is considered a benchmark for excellence in the fire service.

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Among more than 100,000 fire agencies worldwide, the Rochester Fire Department is one of just 334 to earn CFAI accreditation. It is also one of only 124 departments in the nation to hold both CFAI accreditation and an ISO Class 1 rating, the highest possible designation for fire protection. In New York State, Rochester and the Ridge Road Fire District in Greece are the only two departments, out of roughly 29,000 statewide, to hold both distinctions.

“I am extremely proud of the years of dedication and collective effort our firefighters put into achieving this designation,” Fire Chief Stefano Napolitano said. “CFAI accreditation reflects our ongoing promise to serve the residents of Rochester with the highest level of professionalism and care, our commitment to strategic planning, and our focus on growth and continued improvement.”

The Center for Public Safety Excellence is a nonprofit organization that supports fire departments and emergency services professionals in improving performance and service delivery. It does so through programs focused on fire department accreditation, professional credentialing and public safety education.

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