Continuous Self-Improvement

Pennsylvania Fire Service Professional Credentialing Program

Pennsylvania Fire Service understands that fire service leaders need to have a continuous professional development plan in place that places the appropriate mix of education, training, certification, and experience.

The goal of the Credentialing Program is to ensure uniformity among fire service leaders throughout Pennsylvania with an emphasis on providing continuous quality leadership and development.

•Management Skills (Personal Qualities and Technical Expertise)

•Team Building Skills (Accountability, adaptability, creativity, and empathy)

•Interpersonal Skills (Communications, Mentorship, and Leadership Style)

The process is intended to be peer to peer review process to actively engage those fire officers seeking a career path and recognition of achievement that will ultimately lead each fire officer to a higher degree of professional standard. Review of each fire officer will include their commitment to:

•Confidence - every leader should demonstrate confidence to instill motivation. Even whenobstacles impact progress, you should strive to exhibit poise and conviction.

•Focus – handle possible distractions while achieving major objectives.

•Positivity - quality leaders use positivity to motivate their team to achieve goals, do their bestwork and exceed expectations.

•Stability - reliable approach when driving significant change in the workplace.

Promoting professional development within the Pennsylvania fire and emergency services will assist current and future fire service leaders with meeting and exceeding expectations in their daily operations, management, and leadership.

Credentialed professionals will be required to renew their credentials every three years. This professional program has attempted to establish education, training, certification, and experience criteria relevant to the position of fire officer. This credentialing and professional development process provides an equal opportunity for all Pennsylvania Fire Officers (volunteer, paid-on-call, part-time, or full-time). An individual seeking Pennsylvania Professional Credentialing must be an active member of an approved NFIRS Fire Company/Department with emergency response in Pennsylvania. Individuals with Interstate-response agencies qualify for credentialing as well.

All participants in this program agree to confirm and abide by the professional code of conduct. The Peer Review Team Leader(s) will oversee all applications and make recommendations for the professional credentialing. They will also assist with mentoring candidates through the process as needed. PACFCA Executive Board will retain the final approval of all credentialing applications in coordination with representatives from Pennsylvania Municipal League.

Each credentialed Officer will be notified prior to the expiration date that a renewal application should be submitted to maintain that level of credentials.