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What Is Accreditation?


The Stoney Point Fire Department governing body adopted and approved a five-year strategic plan outlining the steps of our pursuit to obtain accredited status from the Commission on Fire Accreditation (CFAI now CPSE).

In doing so, our department will be joining a network of emergency service professionals who seek continuous quality improvement in the delivery of emergency services to their respective communities. Our department has often been exemplary in terms of fire service in Cumberland County. This year will certainly prove to be a pivotal moment in Stoney Point Fire Department history and our efforts will once again set up apart. By seeking accreditation from The Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI), we will become one of only two volunteer departments, world wide, to receive this distinguished designation.

The purpose of the CFAI is to help improve fire and emergency service agencies around the world. The organization lends assistance in the pursuit of professional excellence through a strategic self-assessment model. An organizational process provides continuous quality assurance in the global effort of bringing prompt and effective service to communities and the world at large.

The CFAI accreditation process provides a well-defined, internationally recognized benchmark system to measure effectiveness in the delivery of fire and emergency services. By seeking this accreditation from CFAI we hope to realize the following goals:

There are currently only seven CFAI accredited fire departments in North Carolina. These are medium to large departments including Charlotte FD, Asheville FD, Greensboro FD, Rocky Mount FD, Cary, FD, Jacksonville, FD, and Wilson FD all of which are fully staffed with paid professionals. The Stoney Point Fire Department will be the first of its kind, as a predominantly volunteer agency in the state of North Carolina, to achieve this notable accredited status.

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SPFD Strategic Plan

Message from Fire Chief …

On behalf of the members of the Stoney Point Fire Department, we are proud to introduce our Strategic Plan. This Plan represents input from many members of the fire department and community.

Our team has solicited input from our Board, Chief Officers, Line Officers and Firefighters and identified a road map for the future. We realize there are numerous paths leading to a successful organization. The Strategic Initiatives give us the opportunity to be flexible while maintaining the focus on results.

Stoney Point Fire Department is one of the fastest growing communities within Cumberland County. The leadership within the department realized a plan must be in place to coordinate the growth of the department and align it with the future needs of the organization. We believe we have identified the needs that will impact our Department and have put together a plan that will systematically lead us down the path.

Our Department is changing and this is an exciting time for this department and the community in which we serve. Change and growth create an uneasiness that is to be expected. However, our Fire Department has many talented individuals that make up a cohesive team of professionals that will take the Department in the direction needed for success.

Implementation of this plan will take the effort of many. From the administration of a new way of doing business to the detailed tasks of each strategic initiative; each of us has a role.

Finally, thank you to the individuals who have voiced your opinions. The Officers and Board of Directors that met and helped make up the Strategic Planning Team value all the input. We have listened to your concerns and dreams of what you want our Department to become. The Vision has been cast; the path has been paved; now let's begin the journey together.

Executive Summary

This is the second comprehensive Strategic Plan that has been written over the last 5 of years for the Stoney Point Fire Department. The first plan was an attempt to set the department on a path to self improvement and assist in beginning stages of the Accreditation process. This updated plan is unique, and is an extension of the first plan but more detailed and deliberate in the timeframes that it sets the performance objectives out in. The strategic planning process revolved around the model set by the Center for Public Safety Excellence and the Commission for Fire Accreditation International.

The Strategic Planning Team held a meeting on March 14 at Station 19. At this meeting the group formulated the below planning document. This meeting generated passionate discussions from the group wanting to take the necessary actions to be the best fire department possible. Past decisions were discussed and current ways of doing business were reviewed. In the end, a Plan was developed and approved by all members of the team.

The Fire Department Board of Directors and members approved the Plan on June 16, 2009 and provided input on responsibilities for each Action Step of the Process.

The Strategic Plan identified 10 Strategic Initiatives and 41 Goals. Each goal had at least one action step with some more complex goals requiring multiple steps. Almost half of the action steps were related to our service delivery and training.

The Strategic Plan will be reviewed annually by the Board and Fire Department Staff with semi-annual periodic reporting and review to the organization. Periodic Reports will be made available to the Board of Directors and membership.

Process Description

The primary mission of your Stoney Point Fire and Rescue department is to protect life and property. We achieve this by striving for the highest level of professional skills and competence, and by focusing on both individual and organizational integrity. Our united team of emergency medical and rescue technicians, coupled with our fire protection unit are extremely responsive to the needs of our community within our district and the surrounding areas. We carefully manage resources and stay heavily involved within the community to promote fire prevention education. While keeping current and future needs in mind, we implement new and innovative tactics, techniques and procedures as we continue in our pursuit of excellence as a community service organization.

The Department understands the need to be good stewards with the limited resources we are given. We have developed a plan that attempts to be cost effective yet provide the most efficient fire service possible. The Department began by reviewing the Vision and Mission Statement that was adopted by our Board of Directors:

Vision Statement

The vision of the Stoney Point Fire Department is to enhance its capability as a community resource within the next five years to meet the needs of its citizens, volunteers, and employees. This will be accomplished by embracing change and challenging ourselves to be under a constant state of improvement striving for excellence.

Mission Statement

The Stoney Point Fire Department's mission is to protect its citizens and to create a safer community through coordinated training, education, prevention, investigation, emergency response and leadership.

After this a brief overview of the process was conducted and the attendees were broken into work groups to help facilitate discussion and goal formulation. This process led to a lot of good discussion and a thorough understanding by all those involved in the importance of strategic planning and its role within our accreditation process.

Strategic Planning Team

The Stoney Point Fire Department achieves its mission and vision by building upon a system of values. We uphold professionalism as our core value. Our defining values also include: Integrity, Compassion, Service, Honesty, Stewardship, and Courtesy.

Professionalism: Our core value of professionalism defines who we are. We believe in upstanding and sound service to the community we serve. We take our role seriously and do all that we can to be a positive role model to the future generations.

Integrity: We believe in living by moral and ethical principles. We demonstrate our values by the way we our lives in the publics eye and in the confines of the fire station.

Compassion: We believe in caring for our community members who are suffering from tragic events in their lives. We do all that is possible to assist in stabilizing the situation with a merciful attitude.

Service Excellence: We believe in providing the best possible service to the community where we live and work. We do all we can to meet the needs of our neighbors through a humble, competent, and well trained, efficient team.

Honesty: We believe in being truthful, ethical, and fair. We strive to say what we mean and mean what we say even in times when the truth may hurt. We are dedicated to disclosing the entire truth.

Stewardship: We believe in protecting and caring for the community's resources and wish to be held accountable for their current and future use. We place the needs of the community ahead of our own.

Courtesy: We believe in being kind and polite to our fellow firefighters and the citizens we serve.

Goal #1 - Organizational Development

To accomplish the vision, the leadership of the SPFD will create and maintain a plan for organizational development that embraces our core values of integrity, stewardship, respect, and honesty.

Objectives:

Goal #2 - Community Involvement

The Stoney Point Fire Department shall seek out opportunities for community involvement by partnering with the community and making fire stations community focal points.

Objectives:

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Goal #3 - Leadership

The department will prepare its members for leadership through aggressive training, accountability, and mentoring.

Objectives:

Goal #4 - Service

The department shall deliver services to provide a safe and vibrant community environment, by completing periodic risk assessments and community involvement, with the resources provided that are available.

Objectives:

Goal #5 - Safety

The Stoney Point Fire Department will assure all members the safest possible work environment.

Objectives:

Goal #6 - Morale

The leadership of the Stoney Point Fire Department values all its members and will address issues that affect morale.

Objectives: