Two Plantation Fire officials received their Fire Officer designations from the Center for Public Safety and Excellence (CPSE) Fire Chief, Laney Stearns announced today.
Joel Gordon, a Battalion Chief and the Department’s Public Information Officer since 1996 received his Chief Fire Officer (CFO) designation and Tommy Demopoulos, a captain and member since 2007 received Fire Officer (FO) designation.
The designation recognizes fire officers, at a given rank, for their education, experience, contribution to the fire service, and community involvement.
“This is a very prestigious award,” said Stearns. It’s a lengthy and detailed process.” After completing the application and supplying documentation, the applicant must submit for a peer review process and an interview. Finally a panel reviews and approves the application.”
CFO represents the pinnacle of accreditation under the CPSE process. Fire Officer is the first step in the process.
Gordon is one of only two members of the Plantation Fire Department to earn this accreditation. Chief Stearns is the other. Demopoulos is the first line officer to obtain the credentialing.
According to the CPSE there are only 44 CFO credentialed fire officers in Florida and only 139 with the Fire Officer credentials.
More information can be found at http://www.cpse.org/.
