Milton Fire-Rescue has blazed its way to international recognition, scoring a seal of approval from the Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI), a feat that sets it apart for its rigorous standards and commitment to excellence in public safety.
The department received its official nod Tuesday during a public hearing in Orlando, and it's a badge of honor that didn't come easy, joining the ranks of just 312 agencies worldwide, Mayor Peyton Jamison, City Manager Steve Krokoff, Fire Chief Gabe Benmoussa, Deputy Fire Chief Matt Marietta, and Battalion Chief Tim Murray were on hand to bask in the glory of this recognition and to represent the city's dedication to top-tier fire service, "This achievement recognizes Milton Fire’s diligent work, fact-driven policies, smart strategies, and – above all – commitment to finding more, better ways to serve our residents," Mayor Jamison stated, according to a press release.
Hard-earned through a combination of self-assessment, strategic planning and community risk assessment, the accreditation means Milton is the first fire department in North Fulton County to land the honor, and only the sixth in Georgia to make the cut, the department had to lay bare its operations for scrutiny, welcoming a team of CFAI peer accreditors for a deep dive into their training programs, which have swollen in breadth by 200% in recent years, their state-of-the-art equipment, and their innovative programs.
Those four evaluators, after their in-depth review and audit, gave the green light for Milton's accreditation, a detailed process that culminates in front of the CFIA Commissioners, who gave the final thumbs up, "This accreditation reflects our deliberate, important efforts to ensure we know what’s working well, we understand and embrace challenges facing us, and we have solid plans moving forward that will make a positive impact," said Chief Benmoussa in the same announcement, cementing the department's place among the best of the best in firefighting agencies.
