Chief Jeff Steingart of the Countryside Fire Protection District has successfully completed the process that awards him professional designation of “Chief Fire Officer” (CFO). The Commission on Professional Credentialing (CPC) met on June 4, 2013 to officially confer the designation upon Chief Steingart. He is one of only 913 CFO’s worldwide.

The CPC awards the CFO designation only after an individual successfully meets all of the organizations stringent criteria. The process uses a comprehensive peer review that 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 Steingart has vast knowledge of the emergency services profession and has far surpassed critical core competencies for personnel serving in senior fire service leadership positions. The Countryside Fire Protection District is also one of 171 agencies that is accredited by the Commission on Fire Accreditation International. This was first achieved in 1998.

Chief Steingart has been a member of Countryside for 31 years, advancing through the ranks and has been serving as the Fire Chief for the past six years.

The Countryside Fire Protection District serves a 24 square mile area that includes portions of Vernon Hills, Hawthorn Woods, Long Grove, Kildeer, Indian Creek and Unincorporated areas of Lake County.

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. To learn more about CPC, visit www.publicsafetyexcellence.org.