SCHRIEVER SPACE FORCE BASE, Colo. -- After nearly a decade of rigorous self-assessment and internal transformation, Schriever Fire & Emergency Services joined the global elite in fire protection excellence.
On April 2, SF&ES officially earned accredited agency status from the Commission on Fire Accreditation International, becoming one of just 15 Air Force fire departments, and only 326 agencies worldwide, to receive the prestigious recognition. The accreditation, granted by the CFAI and its parent organization, the Center for Public Safety Excellence, affirms that SF&ES meets or exceeds rigorous international standards for emergency services.
“Achieving CFAI accreditation is a landmark achievement, marking the end of one phase and the beginning of another in our ongoing pursuit of excellence,” said Anthony Flowers, 50th Civil Engineer Squadron deputy fire chief. “This decade-long journey has transformed Schriever Fire & Emergency Services.”
The path to accreditation is not for the faint of heart. CFAI’s model is voluntary, but it is also exhaustive, requiring departments to undergo a comprehensive evaluation of every aspect of their operations, from training and response times to community risk reduction and strategic planning. Agencies must demonstrate that they don’t just meet minimum standards, but continuously improve them.
SF&ES began this formal journey in March 2024, when it officially registered as an applicant agency. But the groundwork had been laid for years through a sustained internal review process that touched every program within the department. Using in-depth data analysis and national benchmarks, program managers crafted actionable improvement plans and timelines, integrating them into the final self-assessment report submitted to CFAI.
The report was then scrutinized by a peer review team composed of professionals from other accredited departments. Their evaluation included a site visit to Schriever SFB, where they conducted interviews with department leaders, reviewed documentation, and validated claims made in the report. The team ultimately recommended SF&ES for accreditation, a recommendation affirmed by the CFAI Board of Commissioners during a formal hearing on April 2.
“This prestigious recognition reflects the hard work and dedication of our team, who embraced a culture of continuous improvement,” Flowers said. “We are committed to maintaining this momentum and providing the highest level of fire and emergency services to our community now and in the future.”
More than a badge of honor, CFAI accreditation functions as a living and active commitment to public trust. Accredited agencies are required to maintain their performance through periodic re-evaluation, ensuring that excellence is not a one-time feat but a sustained promise.
Accreditation Manager Jon Rinesmith, 50th Civil Engineer Squadron assistant chief for health and safety, echoed that pride; “This recognition places us among an elite group of fire departments worldwide, and it reflects the exceptional standards we uphold every day.”
SF&ES’s achievement serves as a powerful reminder: Transparency, accountability, and an unyielding drive to improve can still earn global recognition — and, more importantly, community confidence.