IAFC Position: Chief Fire Officer Designate

IAFC Encourages All Members to Undertake the Process to Become a Chief Fire Officer Designate

In 1993, the International Association of Fire Chiefs established a task force for the development and the establishment of a professional designation program for senior executive fire officers. This voluntary designation program is designed to enhance the professionalism of chief officers throughout the world; to promote excellence in the fire and emergency service profession; to serve as a career path for chief officers; to recognize minimum competencies which may be used in qualifying candidates for position appointments; to the acknowledgement of the achievements of those officers who have excelled in developing their personal knowledge, skills and ability; for the establishment and the stature of chief fire officers within the fire and emergency service profession and other disciplines; to encourage the need for continuing education and professional development; to provide an avenue to benchmark among other participants; to establish the Chief Fire Officer Designation (CFOD) as a mark of distinction; and to challenge fire officers to obtain the pinnacle mark of CFOD. 

The International Association of Fire Chiefs believes in the professional development of fire and emergency service personnel by providing guidance for career planning through participation in the Professional Designation Program. 

The International Association of Fire Chiefs Board of Directors encourages all of its chief fire officer members to participate and undertake the process to become a Chief Fire Officer Designate as a means to enhance the level of professionalism for chief officers throughout the world. 

SUBMITTED BY: Chief Randy Bruegman
ADOPTED BY: IAFC Board of Directors, January 2001