Sandy Springs Fire Unit Chief Receives Certification

SANDY SPRINGS, GA -- Sandy Springs Fire Rescue Unit Chief Mark Ware joined 21 of his fellow officers as one of the first to be certified by the Georgia Association of Fire Chiefs (GAFC) during the 2016 Fire Service Conference.

In its first year, the program was divided into three types of certifications: 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 First Vice President 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 certification, recognition for additional credentials and the completion of the Chief Fire Officer Level 8 hour classes.

Dating back to 1952 and based on GMA’s Atlanta office, GAFC works to advance fire services in Georgia and represents more than 700 chief fire officers statewide.

Image via city of Sandy Springs