The LaGrange Fire Department earned a big honor Wednesday as it received accredited status with the Commission on Fire Accreditation International. According to the city of LaGrange, about 250 out of nearly 30,000 fire departments in the nation have received that accreditation.

For a better comparison, only 10 fire departments in Georgia have achieved CFAI accreditation. 

This shows the fire department is striving for improvement and is holding itself accountable. CFAI accreditation is a voluntary process, but just because it’s not required doesn’t mean it’s not important. We see it like going the extra mile in any kind of work.

The LFD started the process for accreditation more than five years ago and has achieved a status that most other fire departments cannot get.

It also bodes well for the future.

The LaGrange City Council discussed hiring a fire chief earlier this year, so that Public Safety Chief Lou Dekmar could be free to oversee the police department. Dekmar said Wednesday that he believes LaGrange will have a fire chief by the end of the year.

We’re guessing that this accreditation will only make the job more appealing to potential applications.

We appreciate the work that went into this accreditation department wide and congratulate the LaGrange Fire Department on this accomplishment.