By Friday, Atlanta Fire Rescue was no longer listed on the national fire accreditation roster, setting off a wave of questions from residents and a quick response from City Hall. City officials say they have reached out to the accrediting body and are working to nail down the department's current status.
Accreditor's roster omits Atlanta
The Center for Public Safety Excellence's public "Accredited Agencies" directory does not show Atlanta Fire Rescue among its entries, according to the Center for Public Safety Excellence. The online list, which currently includes more than 300 accredited agencies, serves as the main public record of departments that have completed the CPSE accreditation process.
City official responds
In an interview, a city official told WSB‑TV Channel 2 that the administration is reviewing the situation and has contacted the accreditor to find out why the listing changed. The official stressed that Atlanta Fire Rescue is still operating across the city while the inquiry plays out.
What accreditation means
CPSE accreditation is a voluntary, multi-step process that features a self-assessment, a peer review, an on-site verification and a hearing before the Commission on Fire Accreditation International. Accredited status typically lasts five years, with agencies expected to file annual compliance reports. The program is designed to measure agency practices, how resources are deployed and how departments plan for community risk, according to the Center for Public Safety Excellence.
Background and next steps
The City of Atlanta and Atlanta Fire Rescue have cited prior reaccreditation and strong performance ratings in public materials, including a city press release that highlights the department's reaccreditation and the AFRD website, which notes its accreditation and Class 1 ISO rating. For more context, see the City of Atlanta's release and the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department site for the department's own overview.
The city told WSB‑TV it will update the public after it hears back from the accreditor. We will add new details as the accreditor or the city releases additional information.
