The Gilbert Fire and Rescue Department (GFRD) has once again demonstrated its commitment to fire safety and excellence, securing a five-year accreditation from the Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI) for a second consecutive term. This renewed accreditation stands as a testament to the department's expertise and dedication to serving the Gilbert community with a standard that exceeds expectations.
According to a statement released by the town of Gilbert, the CFAI accreditation is not simply a badge of honor but a rigorous process. It involves an in-depth self-assessment, peer reviews conducted by a CFAI assessment team, and gathering public input, thereby ensuring the department's aims are in line with the community's needs. Crafting a community risk assessment, the GFRD identified potential hazards, providing a basis for mitigating risks that were closely linked to the most frequently dialed emergency numbers.
The department did not stop there; they executed a standards of cover analysis to authentically evaluate their operational readiness, scrutinizing their equipment and response times, and gauging the overall service effectiveness. Fire Chief Rob Duggan proudly stated, "We accomplish this by leveraging the collective strength of our members, input from our community, and unrelenting support from the Town Manager’s Office and our elected officials." Duggan continued, detailing how the organization's five-year strategic plan, which "addresses current and emerging threats while remaining nimble to future yet unseen challenges," is reviewed quarterly and annually, ensuring realignment to meet evolving goals and adversities.
The credited core team from GFRD included Fire Chief Rob Duggan, Assistant Fire Chief Cory Gerard, Fire Solutions Manager Linda McGuire, Captain Carl Grant, and Firefighter Shea Kearney, among others. Collectively, their bedrock has shaped an adaptive strategic plan that marries with the Town's vision, ensuring service levels are either maintained or improved, supporting their people, and magnifying their positive impact on the community. "The plan aligns with the Town's initiatives while supporting the pillars of fire service excellence: maintain or improve service levels, support our people, and maximize positive impact on our community," Duggan affirmed in the official announcement.
