**** HRFE Release
News Release
Halifax Regional Fire & Emergency earns international accreditation
Halifax Regional Fire & Emergency (HRFE) has officially been awarded Accredited Agency status from the Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI), a designation earned by only a select number of fire departments worldwide.
Accreditation through CFAI is considered the gold standard in the fire service, recognizing departments that meet rigorous international benchmarks for service delivery, planning and continuous quality improvement. HRFE is now among an elite group of fire services in Canada and around the world to hold this distinction.
“Accreditation is more than a procedural achievement—it is a powerful demonstration of our commitment to quality improvement and operational excellence,” said Chief Administrative Officer Cathie O’Toole. “This process strengthens not only HRFE, but also the broader network of municipal services that work together every day to keep our community safe.”
The CFAI accreditation process is a multi-year effort involving extensive self-assessment, community risk analysis, performance benchmarking and peer review by an independent team of fire service professionals. HRFE’s efforts were guided by its 2024–2029 Strategic Plan and the Community Risk Assessment – Standards of Cover (CRA-SoC), both developed to align with the Halifax region’s growth and evolving needs.
“This international accreditation is a proud moment for our city and recognizes the outstanding professionalism and dedication of Halifax Regional Fire & Emergency,” said Mayor Andy Fillmore. “Halifax residents can take great confidence in knowing their fire service meets the highest global standards for safety, service and accountability. Congratulations to the entire HRFE team on this remarkable achievement.”
“This recognition reflects the professionalism, dedication and teamwork our members provide every day and places HRFE among a very select group of international fire and emergency services that have demonstrated their commitment to be better tomorrow than they are today” said Fire Chief Ken Stuebing.
CFAI accreditation reflects HRFE’s focus on evidence-based planning, proactive risk reduction and a culture of continuous improvement. The designation is valid for five years, with annual compliance reporting and a reaccreditation process to follow.
For more information about HRFE’s accreditation journey, including the department’s Strategic Plan and CRA-SoC, visit our website.
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