The Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI) has approved for release the latest Fire and Emergency Services Self-Assessment Model (FESSAM). The 11th Edition of the FESSAM was born out of those previously adopted Models and stands on the program’s effort to offer fire and emergency service agencies worldwide a plan for continuous improvement. Agencies preparing for peer review and the Commission’s award of accredited status should begin to prepare for the changes adopted in the new 11th Edition FESSAM by first listening to this 90-minute Significant Changes video. Hosted by CFAI Program Manager Jim White, CFO, and 11th Edition Project Manager Jerry Nulliner, CFO, the Significant Changes presentation walks step-by-step through all the notable changes found in the new 11th Edition FESSAM. We are encouraging everyone who is responsible for CFAI accreditation in their agencies to plan on listening to this in-depth look at the new FESSAM.

A digital copy of the new Quality Improvement for the Fire and Emergency Services, 2nd Edition, which will include the 11th Edition of the FESSAM, will be sent to you when available (anticipated publication date – Fall 2025).

You will have 14 days to complete the on-demand training. Your 14-day access will start when you open the video. 

Cancellation Policy: No cancellations or substitutions are permitted.

This on demand webinar features an overview of the practical and operational importance of Annual Program Appraisals. While a requirement for accreditation compliance, this course also offers ways to address completing them as well as how to weave them into the culture of your agency. 

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

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

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 Workshop

September 2025

Please note that the format of this workshop has changed.

Review the details below before signing up.

Prerequisites:

Completion of the Quality Improvement for the Fire and Emergency Services workshop within the previous three years is required to attend this workshop. 

Workshop Details: 

Peer assessors are a key component of the agency accreditation process as they verify and validate that an agency’s accreditation documents meet the expectations of the Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI). This workshop is required for all agency accreditation managers and those wishing to become CFAI Peer Assessors. The workshop is presented in a learn at your own pace format with each learning module taken at your pace throughout the month. The workshop includes videos, homework, quizzes, and two examinations. The workshop lessons will be open for all participants beginning on Monday, September 1, 2025. All completed course material must be posted as follows:

Registration Fee: 

$400

To register, you must have a CPSE Portal account. Go here to create your personal 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 workshop. 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 workshop. After this time, NO substitutions will be allowed. Requests for substitution must be submitted via email to university@cpse.org.

Certificate of Completion:

To receive a certificate of completion, participants must complete all videos, homework assignments, examinations, and the end-of-workshop survey. 

CPSE regrets that refunds for any failure to participate in the workshop will not be given.

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

In this webinar, CPSE Community Experience Manager Kelly Martin, will provide an overview of Defining Community, Workplace, Inclusion and Belonging, Psychological Safety, Strategies for Inclusive Organizations, Inclusive Behaviors, and Inclusive Leadership.

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.

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

Apex Fire Department, Apex, NC

November 5 – 7, 2025

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 4

Regular Registration: $675

Registration closes: October 21, 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: 

Apex Town Hall - Training Rooms A and B - 3rd Floor

73 Hunter St.

Apex, NC 27502

AIRPORT LOCATION:

Raleigh Durham International (RDU)

HOST RECOMMENDED HOTEL INFORMATION:  

Springhill Suites Raleigh Apex

1100 Marco Dr.

Apex, NC 27502

Website: Click here 

Holiday Inn Express Apex-Raleigh by IHG

1006 Marco Dr.

Apex, NC 27502

Website: Click here 

HOST AGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION:

Apex Fire Department

PRIMARY CONTACT:

Michael Frickman, Assistant Chief of Professional Standards

(O) 919-372-7520

Michael.frickman@apexnc.org 

SECONDARY CONTACT:

Samantha Gossard, Accreditation Specialist

(O) 919-372-7521

Samantha.gossard@apexnc.org 

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

Aurora Fire Rescue, Aurora, CO

November 17 – 19, 2025

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 20

Regular Registration: $675

Registration closes: November 7, 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: 

City of Aurora Public Safety Training Center (CAPSTC)

25950 E Quincy Ave

Aurora, CO 80016

AIRPORT LOCATION:

Denver International Airport (DEN)

HOST RECOMMENDED HOTEL INFORMATION:  

Fairfield Inn & Suites Denver Aurora/Parker

24192 E Prospect Ave

Aurora, CO 80016

Website: Click here 

HOST AGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION:

Aurora Fire Rescue

PRIMARY CONTACT:

Mark Hays, Division Chief

(O) 303-326-8999

mhays@auroragov.org 

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

City of Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire, Pittsburgh, PA

September 3 – 5, 2025

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 August 6

Regular Registration: $675

Registration closes: August 22, 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: 

Fire Headquarters

2945 Railroad Street

Pittsburgh, PA 15201

AIRPORT LOCATION:

Pittsburgh International Airport

HOST RECOMMENDED HOTEL INFORMATION:  

Homewood Suites by Hilton

1410 Smallman St

Pittsburgh, PA 15222

Website: Click here 

Hampton Inn & Suites

247 Smallman St

Pittsburgh, PA 15222

Website: Click here 

HOST AGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION:

City of Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire

PRIMARY CONTACT:

Mat Davis, Assistant Fire Chief

(O) 412-255-2867

mat.davis@pittsburghpa.gov

SECONDARY CONTACT:

Darryl Jones, Fire Chief

(O) 412-255-2866

darryl.jones@pittsburghpa.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.