April 1 - 4, 2025

The CPSE Excellence Conference brings the most inquisitive and progressive minds in the fire and emergency service together for three and a-half-days to advance agency accreditation, promote professional credentialing, and encourage continuous improvement. 
 
The theme of the 2025 conference is Igniting Innovation: Fueling the Future of the Fire and Emergency Service
  
What to Expect:
  
Education – Over 75 sessions to choose from covering the following topics: Accreditation, Credentialing, Leadership and Management, Innovation Through Technology, Health and Safety, and Community Risk Reduction.
  
Exhibit Hall – Explore products and services displayed by industry-relevant companies. 
  
Networking Opportunities – Make the most of your time at the Excellence Conference by connecting with like-minded professionals to learn from their successes and experiences improving their departments and themselves.
  
CFAI Hearings – Observe agencies presenting themselves for accreditation by the Commission. You’ll have the opportunity to listen to the deliberations of the Commission and the peer team leader present the recommendations and findings of the team. Observing the hearings is a great way to help you and your department prepare for future accreditation cycles. 
  
Location:  Caribe Royale, Orlando, 8101 World Center Drive, Orlando, FL 32821. Once registered, your confirmation email will include the hotel booking link. 

Registration Rates:

Additional information can be found on the CPSE website . 
   
The registration process has changed for the 2025 Excellence Conference. Registrations will be processed in CPSE University. In CPSE University, there is not a group registration option. If you need to register a group or someone other than yourself, please email university@cpse.org and provide the following information. 

• Email address for conference app (this email must be accessible while onsite at conference)
• Job Title
• First Name
• Last Name
• City
• State
• Organization/Company Name

All information is required to process the registration(s). Once the above information has been provided, the registrations will be processed, and an invoice will be emailed to you. If the email should go to an email address other than yours, please provide the email address and contact information for the correct billing contact. All registration requests must be emailed.
 

Registration Cancellation

All registration cancellation requests must be made in writing by 5:00 pm Eastern, Monday, March 17, 2025. A refund of all fees, minus a $75.00 processing fee, will be given for cancellations received by that date. No refunds will be granted after Monday, March 17, 2025. Submit all requests via email to university@cpse.org. Telephone cancellations will NOT be accepted.

Stay connected with the CPSE Excellence Conference on Facebook , X , and LinkedIn by following #CPSE2025EC.
  
For questions, contact the CPSE office at university@cpse.org  or 703-691-4620.

The purpose of this on-demand series is to orient the agency self-assessment to ensure that the community risk assessment is in alignment with Category 2 (Assessment and Planning) of the self-assessment model. The series is broken into four components which are congruent with the four criteria:

• Documentation of Area Characteristics
• Risk Assessment Methodology
• Current Deployment and Performance
• Plan for Maintaining and Improving Response Capabilities

You will have 14 days to complete the four-video series. Your 14-day access will start when you open the first video. 

Cancellation Policy: You may cancel prior to opening the first video, with a $25 processing fee. No substitutions are permitted.

CFAI Peer Assessor Training Program 

September 17 & 24, 2024

*Prerequisite Course: Completion of the Quality Improvement for the Fire and Emergency Services workshop is required to attend this training. Previous versions of the workshop will not be accepted.

Peer assessors are a key component of the accreditation process as they verify and validate that a department’s accreditation documents meet the expectations of the CFAI. This class is required for all agency accreditation managers and those wishing to become CFAI Peer Assessors. Presented as a webinar, the course consists of two (2) separate live sessions. Attendance for both is mandatory for completion. Each session is two hours long, for a total of four hours. Both sessions have assigned homework and examinations that must be successfully completed for a student to receive a course completion certificate. Live sessions will be held on November 5 & 12, 2024 from 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM Eastern.

Registration Fee: $400

Registration closes: No later than October 30, 2024

To register, you must have a CPSE Portal account. Go here to create an account.

All registration cancellation and refund requests must be submitted via email to university@cpse.org no later than two weeks before the start of the class. A refund request is subject to a $25 processing fee. Telephone cancellations will not be accepted.

A substitution of your full registration is permitted up to one week before the start of the class. After this time, NO substitutions are allowed. Requests for substitution must be submitted via email to university@cpse.org.

To receive a certificate of completion, students must attend each session and complete the examinations, homework assignments, and end-of-course survey.

CPSE regrets that refunds for failure to participate in the two sessions will not be given.

For questions, contact the CPSE office at university@cpse.org or 703-691-4620.

In this webinar, CPSE Chief Executive Officer, Preet Bassi, CAE, will provide an overview of the importance fire and local government associations are placing on data and technology, how data informs department innovations, and recommended data and technology practices for fire departments.

In this webinar, Chief Amy Valdez, CFO, will provide an overview of Defining Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging, Psychological Safety, Understanding Bias, Acts of Exclusion, Strategies for Inclusive Organizations, Inclusive Behaviors, and Inclusive Leadership. 

DoD Only: Quality Improvement for the Fire and Emergency Services Workshop

Fort Belvoir Fire and Emergency Services, Fort Belvoir, VA

November 18-20, 2024

This course is for Department of Defense personnel only. This course features three full days of instruction to help agencies prepare for accreditation under the 10th edition of the CFAI® model. It covers the development of the three key documents, the Community Risk Assessment/Standards of Cover, Strategic Plan, and Self-Assessment Manual.

WHAT YOU WILL RECEIVE:

• The Quality Improvement for the Fire and Emergency Services Publication & student workbook.
• 24 hours of instruction from experienced accreditation instructors.
• In-class exercises to reinforce key points of instruction.
• Introduction to online resources that will support your department’s accreditation efforts.
• Multiple opportunities to engage and network with your peers.

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN:

• The steps in the self-assessment process, from building a team to becoming an accredited agency.
• The key elements of the accreditation process:
  1. Creating planning zones for your response area.
  2. Establishing a risk assessment process.
  3. Applying the risk assessment process to your response area.
  4. Developing a critical tasking process.
  5. Determine needed resources for fire and non-fire risks.
  6. Assess current deployment practices and establish target performance goals.
  7. Develop response performance data.
  8. Key elements of a Strategic Plan.
  9. How to create a self-assessment manual.

COST:

Paid by the DoD contract. If you are not a DoD employee, do not register for this course. 

*Onsite registration is not permitted*

Registration closes November 8.

To register, you must have a CPSE Portal account. Go here to create an account.

To register a group, contact university@cpse.org. 

WORKSHOP TIME: 0800-1700 Daily

ATTIRE: Business Casual

WORKSHOP LOCATION: 

Fire Station 466

8915 Gavin Rd

Fort Belvoir, VA 22060

AIRPORT LOCATION:

Reagan International Airport

HOST RECOMMENDED HOTEL INFORMATION:  

Staybridge Suites Building 1208

9215 Woodbury Rd Bldg 1208

Fort Belvoir, VA 22060

Website: Click here Government Rate Available 

Holiday Inn Express Knadle Hall

9775 Gaillard Rd Building 470 Bldg. 70

Fort Belvoir, VA 22060

Website: Click here Government Rate Available

HOST AGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION:

Fort Belvoir Fire and Emergency Services

(O) 703-805-4843

PRIMARY CONTACT:

Julien Crolet, Deputy Fire Chief

(O) 571-595-6966

Julien.f.crolet.civ@army.mil 

SECONDARY CONTACT:

Samantha Green, Assistant Chief

(O) 703-806-6916

Samantha.J.Green.civ@army.mil 

All registration cancellation requests must be submitted via email to university@cpse.org no later than two weeks prior to the start of the class. Telephone cancellations will not be accepted. 

A substitution of your full registration is permitted up to three days prior to the start of the class. After this time, NO substitutions are allowed. Requests for substitution must be submitted via email to university@cpse.org. 

For questions, contact the CPSE office at university@cpse.org or 703-691-4620.

DoD Only: Quality Improvement for the Fire and Emergency Services Workshop

MCAS Beaufort Fire & Emergency Services, MCAS Beaufort, SC

November 12-14, 2024

This course is for Department of Defense personnel only. This course features three full days of instruction to help agencies prepare for accreditation under the 10th edition of the CFAI® model. It covers the development of the three key documents, the Community Risk Assessment/Standards of Cover, Strategic Plan, and Self-Assessment Manual.

WHAT YOU WILL RECEIVE:

• The Quality Improvement for the Fire and Emergency Services Publication & student workbook.
• 24 hours of instruction from experienced accreditation instructors.
• In-class exercises to reinforce key points of instruction.
• Introduction to online resources that will support your department’s accreditation efforts.
• Multiple opportunities to engage and network with your peers.

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN:

• The steps in the self-assessment process, from building a team to becoming an accredited agency.
• The key elements of the accreditation process:
  1. Creating planning zones for your response area.
  2. Establishing a risk assessment process.
  3. Applying the risk assessment process to your response area.
  4. Developing a critical tasking process.
  5. Determine needed resources for fire and non-fire risks.
  6. Assess current deployment practices and establish target performance goals.
  7. Develop response performance data.
  8. Key elements of a Strategic Plan.
  9. How to create a self-assessment manual.

COST:

Paid by the DoD contract. If you are not a DoD employee, do not register for this course. 

*Onsite registration is not permitted*

Registration closes November 1.

To register, you must have a CPSE Portal account. Go here to create an account.

To register a group, contact university@cpse.org. 

WORKSHOP TIME: 0800-1700 Daily

ATTIRE: Business Casual

WORKSHOP LOCATION: 

MCAS Beaufort Fire Department 

2085 Drayton St 

Beaufort, SC 29904

AIRPORT LOCATION:

Savannah Hilton Head Airport

HOST RECOMMENDED HOTEL INFORMATION:  

Home2 Suites by Hilton Beaufort

3658 Trask Pkwy

Beaufort, SC 29906

Website: Click here 

Tru by Hilton Beaufort

3664 Trask Pkwy

Beaufort, SC 29906

Website: Click here

HOST AGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION:

MCAS Beaufort Fire & Emergency Services

(O) 834-228-7293

PRIMARY CONTACT:

Richard Ellis, AC of Training

(O) 843-228-6921

Richard.t.ellis@usmc.mil 

SECONDARY CONTACT:

Chad Spell, Deputy Chief

(O) 843-228-6262

Chad.spell@usmc.mil 

All registration cancellation requests must be submitted via email to university@cpse.org no later than two weeks prior to the start of the class. Telephone cancellations will not be accepted. 

A substitution of your full registration is permitted up to three days prior to the start of the class. After this time, NO substitutions are allowed. Requests for substitution must be submitted via email to university@cpse.org. 

For questions, contact the CPSE office at university@cpse.org or 703-691-4620.

This on-demand course is designed to prepare students for becoming effective mentors in diverse settings. It covers the principles and practices of mentoring, the benefits and challenges of mentoring relationships, and the skills and strategies for fostering a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in mentoring. Students will learn how to identify their own strengths and areas for improvement as mentors, how to establish rapport and trust with mentees, how to provide constructive feedback and support, and how to address issues of bias, discrimination, and conflict in mentoring. The course will also explore the ethical and professional responsibilities of mentors, as well as the best practices for evaluating and sustaining mentoring outcomes. Upon completion of this course, students will be able to apply their mentoring skills in various contexts, such as academic, professional, personal, and community settings. The course also provides an introduction to CPSE’s Credentialing Program.

You will have 60 days to complete the four-video series. Your 60-day access will start when you open the first video. 
 

Cancellation Policy: You may cancel prior to opening the first video, with a $25 processing fee. No substitutions are permitted.

Quality Improvement for the Fire and Emergency Services Workshop

Bryan Fire Department, Bryan, TX

November 5 – 7, 2024

This course features three full days of instruction to help agencies prepare for accreditation under the 10th edition of the CFAI® model. It covers the development of the three key documents, the Community Risk Assessment/Standards of Cover, Strategic Plan, and Self-Assessment Manual.

WHAT YOU WILL RECEIVE:

• The Quality Improvement for the Fire and Emergency Services Publication & student workbook.
• 24 hours of instruction from experienced accreditation instructors.
• In-class exercises to reinforce key points of instruction.
• Introduction to online resources that will support your department’s accreditation efforts.
• Multiple opportunities to engage and network with your peers.

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN:

• The steps in the self-assessment process, from building a team to becoming an accredited agency.
• The key elements of the accreditation process:
  1. Creating planning zones for your response area.
  2. Establishing a risk assessment process.
  3. Applying the risk assessment process to your response area.
  4. Developing a critical tasking process.
  5. Determine needed resources for fire and non-fire risks.
  6. Assess current deployment practices and establish target performance goals.
  7. Develop response performance data.
  8. Key elements of a Strategic Plan.
  9. How to create a self-assessment manual.

COST:

Early Registration: $650 – ends October 8, 2024

Regular Registration: $675

Registration closes: October 26, 2024, or until full, whichever occurs first.

*Onsite registration is not permitted*

To register, you must have a CPSE Portal account. Go here to create an account.

To register a group, contact university@cpse.org.

WORKSHOP TIME: 0800-1700 Daily

ATTIRE: Business Casual

WORKSHOP LOCATION: 

Legends Event Center

2533 Midtown Pk Blvd

Bryan, TX 77801

AIRPORT LOCATION:

Easterwood Airport, College Station, TX

HOST RECOMMENDED HOTEL INFORMATION:  

The Stella Hotel, Autograph Collection

4100 Lake Atlas Drive

Bryan, TX 77807

Group rate available here

HOST AGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION:

City of Bryan Fire Department

(O) 979-209-5859

PRIMARY CONTACT:

Andrew Davis, Lieutenant, Planning and Accreditation

(O) 979-209-5859

adavis@bryantx.gov 

SECONDARY CONTACT:

Douglas Capener, Assistant Chief

(O) 979-209-5132

dcapener@bryantx.gov 

All registration cancellation and refund requests must be submitted via email to university@cpse.org no later than two weeks prior to the start of the class. A refund request is subject to a $25 processing fee. Telephone cancellations will not be accepted. 

A substitution of your full registration is permitted up to three days prior to the start of the class. After this time, NO substitutions are allowed. Requests for substitution must be submitted via email to university@cpse.org. 

CPSE regrets that refunds will not be given for no-shows.

For questions, contact the CPSE office at university@cpse.org or 703-691-4620

Quality Improvement for the Fire and Emergency Services Workshop

Louisville Fire Department, Louisville, KY

November 19 – 21, 2024

This course features three full days of instruction to help agencies prepare for accreditation under the 10th edition of the CFAI® model. It covers the development of the three key documents, the Community Risk Assessment/Standards of Cover, Strategic Plan, and Self-Assessment Manual.

WHAT YOU WILL RECEIVE:

• The Quality Improvement for the Fire and Emergency Services Publication & student workbook.
• 24 hours of instruction from experienced accreditation instructors.
• In-class exercises to reinforce key points of instruction.
• Introduction to online resources that will support your department’s accreditation efforts.
• Multiple opportunities to engage and network with your peers.

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN:

• The steps in the self-assessment process, from building a team to becoming an accredited agency.
• The key elements of the accreditation process:
  1. Creating planning zones for your response area.
  2. Establishing a risk assessment process.
  3. Applying the risk assessment process to your response area.
  4. Developing a critical tasking process.
  5. Determine needed resources for fire and non-fire risks.
  6. Assess current deployment practices and establish target performance goals.
  7. Develop response performance data.
  8. Key elements of a Strategic Plan.
  9. How to create a self-assessment manual.

COST:

Early Registration: $650 – ends October 22, 2024

Regular Registration: $675

Registration closes: November 9, 2024, or until full, whichever occurs first.

*Onsite registration is not permitted*

To register, you must have a CPSE Portal account. Go here to create an account. If you already have an account and are unable to access it, please do not create a new account. Contact university@cpse.org for login assistance. 

To register a group, contact university@cpse.org. Please provide the workshop name, attendee name(s), and attendee email(s). 

WORKSHOP TIME: 0800-1700 Daily

ATTIRE: Business Casual

WORKSHOP LOCATION: 

Louisville Fire Academy

1501 W. Hill St

Louisville, KY 40210

AIRPORT LOCATION:

Louisville Muhammed Ali International Airport

HOST RECOMMENDED HOTEL INFORMATION:  

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Louisville Downtown

800 W Market St

Louisville, KY 40202

Website: Click here 

Residence Inn Louisville Downtown

333 E Market St

Louisville, KY 40202

Website: Click here 

HOST AGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION:

Louisville Fire Department

(O) 502-574-3701

PRIMARY CONTACT:

Major Kyle Fekete, Chief of Special Projects

(O) 502-574-3701

kyle.fekete@louisvilleky.gov 

SECONDARY CONTACT:

LTC Bobby Cooper, Assistant Fire Chief

(O) 502-574-3701

Bobby.cooper@louisvilleky.gov 

All registration cancellation and refund requests must be submitted via email to university@cpse.org no later than two weeks prior to the start of the class. A refund request is subject to a $25 processing fee. Telephone cancellations will not be accepted. 

A substitution of your full registration is permitted up to three days prior to the start of the class. After this time, NO substitutions are allowed. Requests for substitution must be submitted via email to university@cpse.org. 

CPSE regrets that refunds will not be given for no-shows.

For questions, contact the CPSE office at university@cpse.org or 703-691-4620.