Best Practices Recertified

Chief Chris Connealy from Williamson County Emergency Services presented the IFD with a recertification award for designation as a Best Practices Fire Department by the Texas Fire Chiefs Association (TFCA) at the Aug. 1, 2019, City Council meeting. The IFD was the first department in the state of Texas to complete the program and earn this designation in 2014 and becomes the first department to recertify as of April 4, 2019.

This recognition program evaluates a fire department’s compliance with more than 117 Best Business Practices for Fire Departments in the State of Texas. These Best Practices were developed by Fire Service professionals to assist agencies in the efficient and effective delivery of service to communities. These Best Practices cover all aspects of Fire Department management and services including, but not limited to, Administration and Organization, Emergency Medical Service, Fire Prevention, Risk Reduction, Community Outreach, Safety and Health, and Professional Standards and Conduct.

The process is voluntary and requires departments to conduct a critical self-review of the department’s policies, procedures, facilities and operations. Once recognized, departments must repeat the entire process every four years and must maintain every standard in order to be recertified as a Best Practices Department.