Fire Administration (FIAD): Professional Associations

Since 1997, the Center for Public Safety Excellence, Inc. (CPSE) has helped local public safety agencies around the world streamline and improve the services they provide their communities. Through its individual commissions, CPSE provides a host of programs including accreditation for fire and emergency service agencies and professional designations for fire and emergency service officers at all levels. In addition to the fire service accreditation and credentialing programs, CPSE offers more direct support and assistance to emergency services agencies seeking to conform to CPSE performance and competency measures with its Technical Advisor Program. In cooperation with fire sprinkler industry associations, CPSE administers the Residential Fire Sprinkler Contractor.

The International Association of Fire Chiefs represents the leadership of firefighters and emergency responders worldwide; our members are the world's leading experts in firefighting, emergency medical services, terrorism response, hazardous materials spills, natural disasters, search and rescue, and public safety policy. Since 1873, the IAFC has provided a forum for fire and emergency service leaders to exchange ideas, develop professionally and uncover the latest products and services available to first responders.

ICMA, the International City/County Management Association, advances professional local government worldwide. The organization’s mission is to create excellence in local governance by developing and fostering professional management to build better communities.
ICMA identifies leading practices to address the needs of local governments and professionals serving communities globally. We provide services, research, publications, data and information, peer and results-oriented assistance, and training and professional development to thousands of city, town, and county leaders and other individuals and organizations throughout the world. The management decisions made by ICMA's members affect millions of people living in thousands of communities, ranging in size from small towns to large metropolitan areas.

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) is a UN specialized agency, created in 1944 upon the signing of the Convention on International Civil Aviation (Chicago Convention).

ICAO works with the Convention’s 191 Signatory States and global industry and aviation organizations to develop international Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) which are then used by States when they develop their legally-binding national civil aviation regulations.

There are currently over 10,000 SARPs reflected in the 19 Annexes to the Chicago Convention which ICAO oversees, and it is through these SARPs and ICAO’s complementary policy, auditing and capacity-building efforts that today’s global air transport network is able to operate over 100,000 daily flights, safely, efficiently and securely in every region of the world.

The International Fire Service Training Association (IFSTA) was established in 1934. The mission of IFSTA is to identify areas of need for training materials and foster the development and validation of training materials for the fire service and related areas. IFSTA is an association of fire service personnel who are dedicated to upgrading fire fighting techniques and safety through training.

An interactive non-profit network, iWomen provides education, support and advocacy for fire service women. The network is linked and strengthened by its respected publications, which carry informative articles on current issues from promotion and career development to recruitment programs and reproductive safety policies. The newsletter often includes job announcements that link fire departments seeking female candidates with women seeking employment. We also offer a videotape and brochures to help fire departments recruit female firefighter applicants, and information packets on issues of particular relevance to women.

Congress created the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation to lead a nationwide effort to honor America's fallen firefighters. Since 1992, the non-profit Foundation has developed and expanded programs that fulfill that mandate. Our mission is to honor and remember America's fallen fire heroes and to provide resources to assist their survivors in rebuilding their lives and work within the Fire Service Community to reduce firefighter deaths.

The International Association of Black Professional Firefighters mission is to create a liaison between our Black Brothers and Sisters throughout the globe, to collect and evaluate data on all deleterious conditions incumbent in all areas where minorities exist, and to compile information concerning the injustices that exist in the application of working conditions in the Fire Service, and implement action to correct them. To promote interracial progress throughout the Fire Service, and to see that competent Blacks are recruited and employed as fire fighters, where ever they reside, and to aid in motivating our Black Brothers and Sisters to seek advancement to elevated ranks throughout the Fire Service.

The IAFF is the driving force behind nearly every advance in the fire and emergency services in the 21st century. With headquarters in Washington, DC, and Ottawa, Ontario, the IAFF represents more than 300,000 full-time professional fire fighters and paramedics in more than 3,100 affiliates. IAFF members protect more than 85 percent of the population in communities throughout the United States and Canada. The IAFF is also one of the most active lobbying organizations in Washington, DC. The IAFF Political Action Committee, FIREPAC, is among the top 25 federal PACs among the more than 4,000 in the country.

The National Association of Hispanic Firefighters is dedicated to promoting Firefighters through recruitment, professional development, community advocacy and building fellowship among all Firefighters.

The mission of the international nonprofit NFPA, established in 1896, is to reduce the worldwide burden of fire and other hazards on the quality of life by providing and advocating consensus codes and standards, research, training, and education.

The world's leading advocate of fire prevention and an authoritative source on public safety, NFPA develops, publishes, and disseminates more than 300 consensus codes and standards intended to minimize the possibility and effects of fire and other risks

The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) is the leading nonprofit membership association representing the interests of the volunteer fire, EMS, and rescue services. The NVFC serves as the voice of the volunteer in the national arena and provides invaluable tools, resources, programs, and advocacy for first responders across the nation

The primary mission of NWSA is to support and assist its members so they can be successful in their areas of contracting expertise. NWSA also strives to achieve national recognition as a professional organization, or cooperator, whose membership provides personnel and equipment that meets or exceeds national standard.

Guideline Principles

Create public awareness of pre-suppression and suppression contractors and their vital link to governmental agencies.
Work toward a solution to solve common problems within the industry. Share technology.
Raise the standards and practices of our industry by requiring that our members comply with Government standards.
Generate more business opportunities.
Honor both Federal and State procurement.
Honor both Federal and State dispatch procedures.

The purpose of the Pro Board is to establish an internationally recognized means of acknowledging professional achievement in the fire service and related fields. The accreditation of organizations that certify uniform members of public fire departments, both career and volunteer, is the primary goal. However, other organizations with fire protection interests may also be considered for participation. Accreditation is generally provided at the State or Provincial level to the empowered certifying authority of that jurisdiction.