Gilmer Fire and Rescue now has a Chief Fire Officer at the helm.
Fire Chief Daniel Kauffman recently attained that professional designation, which has been reached by a relatively small number of public safety employees at or above the level of battalion chief.
According to the Center for Public Safety Excellence (CPSE), seven components measuring the depth of an officer’s experience in the public safety field are looked at during review of Chief Fire Officer applicants.
The criteria includes education, experience, professional development (training and certifications), professional contributions and recognitions, professional memberships and affiliations, technical competence and community involvement.
The Commission on Professional Credentialing (CPC), which is overseen by the Center for Public Safety Excellence, approved the designation for Kauffman earlier this month. The CPC consists of representatives from academia, federal and local government and the fire and EMS fields.
“Achieving this designation signifies Daniel Kauffman’s career commitment to fire and emergency services. Professional Credentialing awards the designation only after an individual successfully meets all the organization’s stringent criteria,” states a press release.
Kauffman is now among 66 Chief Fire Officers in Georgia and only 1,755 worldwide.
“It’s pretty unique, and we’re mighty proud of him. He worked hard for this (designation). With the knowledge he’s gained and that certification, he brings a good name to the county,” said Gilmer Commission Chairman Charlie Paris.
Before being hired as Gilmer County’s fire chief in 2019, Kauffman was employed for 30 years by Marion County Fire and Rescue in Ocala, Fla. In that time, he served as a firefighter, station lieutenant, station captain, district captain, battalion chief and shift commander.
The Chief Fire Officer title is valid for three years. In order to maintain it, recipients must show continued growth in professional development, professional contributions, active association membership and community involvement, while also adhering to a strict code of professional conduct, according to the CPSE.