Sandy Springs Deputy Fire Chief Obtains CFO Designation

Staff Report

Sandy Springs Deputy Fire Chief Mark Duke has completed the process that garners him the Chief Fire Officer, or CFO, professional designation.

The Commission on Professional Credentialing (CPC) met on Aug. 26 to officially confer the designation upon Chief Duke, the city of Sandy Springs said in a press release. Duke is one of only 993 CFO’s worldwide.

The CPC awards the CFO designation only after an individual successfully meets all of the organization’s stringent criteria. The process includes an assessment of the applicant’s education, experience, professional development, technical competencies, contributions to the profession, and community involvement. In addition, all applicants are required to identify a future professional development plan.

Chief Duke “has a rich knowledge of the emergency services profession and has far surpassed critical core competencies for personnel serving in senior fire officer positions,” the city noted.

The CFO designation program uses a comprehensive peer review model to evaluate candidates seeking the credential.

The Commission on Professional Credentialing, an entity of the Center for Public Safety Excellence, Inc., (CPSE) administers the CFO Designation Program. The CPC consists of individuals from academia, federal and local government, and the fire and emergency medical services profession.

Chief Duke has been a member of the Sandy Springs Fire Department for eight years, joining the department at its inception.

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