Accreditation

About the Accreditation

The Chesterfield Township Fire Department has officially been awarded International Accreditation Status after a years-long process, earning Accredited Agency status through the Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI) and the Center for Public Safety Excellence. Chesterfield is the first fire department in Macomb County to achieve CFAI Accredited Agency status.

Only three other departments in Michigan — Grand Rapids, Canton Township and Metro Airport — had previously earned the distinction. The department joins a select group of more than 300 agencies internationally with Accredited Agency status; fewer than 2% of fire departments nationwide have achieved it.

Accreditation followed a rigorous voluntary self-assessment in which the department demonstrated that it met more than 250 criteria established by the Commission. It was formally awarded after a public hearing outside Chicago on August 20, 2026, and announced by Chesterfield Township on August 24, 2026.

Read the Township Press Release (PDF)

What Accreditation Means

“This achievement demonstrates the commitment of the Chesterfield Township Fire Department to providing the highest quality of service to our community,” said Fire Chief Craig Miller. “The accreditation process allowed us to take a comprehensive look at what we do, identify areas where we can improve, and develop a clear path for the future of this department.”

Accreditation means an outside body has examined how the department operates, performs and plans, and has verified the quality of service it provides. It is voluntary, and it has to be earned again over time rather than held indefinitely.

“The CFAI process has been an incredibly valuable tool for our department,” said Accreditation Manager Lt. Steven Rogers. “It has allowed us to evaluate our performance, establish measurable goals, and create a framework for continuous improvement. More importantly, it helps ensure that the services we provide continue to reflect the needs and risks of the community we serve.”

Years of Work

The accreditation represents years of work by department personnel and leadership. Key components were the development of a five-year Strategic Plan and a comprehensive Community Risk Assessment and Standards of Cover. The department also carried out an extensive review of its programs and services, then took part in a comprehensive evaluation by an outside team of peer assessors.

CFAI's model is built to help fire and emergency service agencies assess their service delivery and performance through a structured self-assessment. A team of peer assessors then reviews and validates the agency's work, giving an independent perspective and identifying opportunities for continued improvement. For Chesterfield Township, the process has provided more than a designation: it has set up a framework for ongoing evaluation, planning and transparency.

Before the Commission

At the August 20, 2026 hearing, members of the department and township leadership appeared before the Commission to present the department's work and answer questions about its operations, planning and commitment to continuous improvement. Representing Chesterfield Township were Fire Chief Craig Miller, Accreditation Manager Lt. Steven Rogers, IAFF Local 4011 President Lt. Jim Schafer Jr., Public Safety Director Brian Bassett and Township Supervisor Bradley Kersten.

The township announced the award on August 24, 2026, and the accreditation plaque was presented at the Regular Township Board Meeting on August 25, 2026, at the Township Offices at 47275 Sugarbush Road.

A Commitment, Not a Plaque on a Shelf

“Accreditation is not simply an award that we receive and put on a shelf,” said Public Safety Director Brian Bassett. “It is a commitment to continually evaluate ourselves, improve our operations, and be accountable to the residents we serve. This accomplishment belongs to the men and women of the Chesterfield Township Fire Department who put in the work to make it happen.”

“This accreditation, years in the making, validates something that our residents, employees, and elected officials have known for as long as I can remember… that our Chesterfield Township Fire Department is top tier,” said Township Supervisor Brad Kersten. “I could not be more proud of this accreditation team, led by Lieutenant Steven Rogers. This achievement represents an incredible amount of work, dedication, and attention to detail over several years.”

“While the accreditation team led the effort, the reality is that every single person at Chesterfield Fire contributed to this success,” Kersten added. “From our firefighters in the field to the administrative staff and leadership, everyone played a role. This accreditation is a reflection of the entire department, and it is something every member of Chesterfield Fire should be proud of.”

The Documents Behind It

Two published documents underpin the department's accreditation. The 2025 Community Risk Assessment and Standards of Cover examines the community's risks, the department's service objectives and critical tasks, and measures response against national standards including NFPA 1710. The 2025-2030 Strategic Plan sets the department's direction with community input at its center.

Leadership reviews the Standards of Cover every year and republishes it every five years. Performance measures are evaluated quarterly and every program is formally appraised each year.