Kingsport Fire Department Accreditation

The Kingsport Fire Department has once again earned international accreditation through the Commission on Fire Accreditation International® (CFAI), achieving its sixth consecutive accreditation and reaffirming the department’s commitment to providing the highest level of fire and emergency services to the citizens of Kingsport and the surrounding region.

The announcement, made in August, during the 2026 CFAI Summer Hearings, where Kingsport Fire Department (KFD) was among the agencies recognized for successfully achieving accreditation or reaccreditation. CFAI recognized Kingsport as a sixth-time accredited agency, placing the department among an elite group of fire and emergency service organizations that have demonstrated a sustained commitment to professional excellence and continuous improvement. Kingsport’s Board of Mayor and Alderman recognized the KFD this week at their public meeting.

“Accreditation is much more than a designation or a plaque on the wall,” said Kingsport Fire Chief Jerry DeBerry. “It is a commitment to our community that we will continually evaluate what we do, identify opportunities for improvement, and hold ourselves accountable to nationally and internationally recognized best practices. This achievement belongs to every member of the Kingsport Fire Department who works every day to provide exceptional service to our citizens.”

Kingsport Fire Department first achieved CFAI accreditation in 2000, making it one of the first 40 fire departments in the world, and the first in Tennessee to earn the designation. The department has successfully maintained its internationally accredited status through subsequent accreditation cycles.

The CFAI accreditation process is a comprehensive evaluation of a fire and emergency service organization. It examines the department’s operations, management, community risk, emergency response capabilities, training, strategic planning, performance measurement and commitment to continuous organizational improvement.

Unlike an accreditation that simply evaluates whether an organization meets a minimum standard, the CFAI process challenges fire departments to examine how well they serve their specific community and how they can continually improve the services they provide.

“Achieving a sixth accreditation demonstrates that excellence isn’t something we pursue every five years—it is part of the culture of the Kingsport Fire Department,” said KFD Deputy Chief Terry Arnold, “Our firefighters and staff understand that the standards we establish today must continue to evolve as the needs of our community change.”

The reaccreditation process represents a significant commitment of time and effort by personnel throughout the organization. It requires extensive self-assessment, documentation, performance evaluation and preparation for an independent peer review.

Kingsport Fire Department currently operates eight engine companies and two ladder truck companies from eight fire stations, providing 24-hour emergency response to the community. The department responds to fires, medical emergencies, hazardous materials incidents, technical rescues, motor vehicle crashes and other emergencies. KFD also provides community risk reduction services (fire and injury prevention, public education, fire investigations and fire code enforcement) designed to prevent emergencies before they occur.

The department also maintains an ISO Class 2 rating

“This recognition reflects the dedication of our entire organization,” KFD Accreditation Coordinator Assistant Chief Jessie Bishop added, “From the firefighters answering emergency calls, to our training, fire prevention, communications, administration and support personnel, everyone contributes to the quality of service we provide. Most importantly, this accreditation is about the people we serve. Our goal is simple: to be ready when our community needs us and to continually find ways to serve them better.”

The Kingsport Fire Department extends its appreciation to the City of Kingsport, elected officials, community partners and, most importantly, the men and women of the department whose dedication made this achievement possible.

Six accreditations. Twenty-five years of internationally recognized excellence. One commitment: serving Kingsport.

Established as a paid career fire department in 1917, the Kingsport Fire Department is dedicated to protecting lives and property through emergency response, fire prevention, public education, community risk reduction, hazardous materials response, emergency medical services and technical rescue. KFD remains committed to continual training, professional development and organizational improvement in order to provide the highest quality service possible to the citizens of Kingsport.