On Saturday, August 13, 2016, Chief Marvin Riggins joined 21 fellow chiefs as one of the first certified by the Georgia Association of Fire Chiefs (GAFC) during the 2016 Fires Service Conference held in Augusta.
In its first year, the program is divided into three types of certification: Georgia Volunteer Fire Chief Certification, Georgia Chief Fire Officer Certification and Georgia Fire Chief Certification.
“We developed this program to ensure that the fire departments in the state of Georgia have qualified, credentialed, and professional leaders and managers overseeing their departments and personnel,” said 1st Vice Preside of GAFC Dwayne Jamison.
Certification applicants self-apply and must meet four pre-requisites including holding a Georgia Firefighter Standards and Training Council (GFSTC) State Certification in at least one of the current Fire Service Certifications and serving as a minimum of a Battalion Chief or Division Supervisor.
Applicants were also assessed on a point system reflective of their years of service, higher education achievement, level of fire office certifications, recognition for additional credentials, and the completion of the Chief Fire Officer Level 8 hour classes.
Dating back to 1952 and based in GMA’s Atlanta office, GAFC works to advance fire services in Georgia and represents more than 700 chief fire officers statewide.
*Source: Georgia Association of Fire Chiefs