Fire service leaders are under increasing pressure to make complex decisions with lasting operational and financial impacts. And while the profession generates valuable research and innovative practices every day, those insights are often fragmented, difficult to access or disconnected from real-world application. The Center for Public Safety Excellence’s Center for Innovation was created to address that challenge by serving as a dedicated resource for leaders seeking credible information, tested ideas and expert perspectives to guide policy, strategy and organizational change. Let’s take a closer look at CPSE and the Center for Innovation.
What is CPSE?
CPSE is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization focused on advancing the fire service through continuous quality improvement. It achieves this mission primarily through three core functions:
- Fire department accreditation: Agencies recognize their strengths and opportunities for improvement through a detailed self-assessment.
- Professional credentialing: Individuals plan for a successful career, identify areas for growth, and dedicate to lifelong learning and accountability.
- Educational programs: Agencies and individuals grow their knowledge and capabilities through instructor-led workshops that keep them at the forefront of the profession.
What drove the creation of the CPSE Center for Innovation?
CPSE recognized an industry-wide gap in evidence-based decision making and the sharing of innovative solutions developed by accredited agencies and credentialed professionals. The CPSE Center for Innovation (CPSE CFI) was launched in 2024 as a wholly owned 501(c)(3) nonprofit subsidiary to catalyze innovation in the fire and emergency service and address that gap by highlighting proven practices, facilitating research and enabling collaboration.
How does the CPSE Center for Innovation differ from traditional CPSE functions?
While CPSE’s core functions focus on accreditation, credentialing and education, the CPSE Center for Innovation is oriented toward generating, curating and disseminating knowledge and practices across the profession. Instead of evaluating agencies or awarding designations, the Center operates as a think tank, research incubator, and resource hub with programs designed to diffuse innovation and support decision makers with data and expertise.
What programs does the CPSE Center for Innovation offer?
The CPSE Center for Innovation organizes its work around five program areas:
- Actionable Research: Works with researchers to produce practical recommendations and implementation strategies informed by public administration and policy research.
- Expert Finder: Will curate and connect subject-matter experts, and fosters development of new expertise through mentorship, sponsorship and visibility.
- Innovation Museum: A curated digital platform that showcases proven practices from CPSE accredited agencies and designees, including case studies, webinars and educational content. FireRescue1 serves as a media partner with the Innovation Museum, spotlighting innovations at CPSE-accredited agencies.
- Innovation Training and Facilitation: Will provide workshops, talks, bootcamps and handbooks designed to equip departments and leaders with tools to develop tailored solutions to local challenges.
- Insight Hub: Will use artificial intelligence via a proprietary large language model to analyze decades of CPSE agency information and deliver focused insights for specific questions or challenges.
How can fire service organizations engage with the CPSE Center for Innovation?
The Center is building partnerships and securing sponsorships with organizations interested in supporting innovation products and services. Engagement opportunities include sponsoring programs, joining the industry advisory council, or collaborating on research and content development. Learn more about Center for Innovation opportunities.
How can the CPSE Center for Innovation impact fire service leadership?
Fire service executives and leaders operate in a complex environment where emerging challenges demand evidence-informed practices and adaptive solutions. The CPSE Center for Innovation seeks to provide a centralized resource for accessing innovative solutions and expert analysis, enabling leaders to make informed decisions, accelerate improvement and share what works across the profession. Its emphasis on research, proven practices and collaboration aims to bridge the gap between isolated success stories and localized interventions.
Read more about how innovative agencies are turning challenges into solutions.
