James E. White, CFO, was honored by receiving the Ronny Jack Coleman Leadership Legacy Award during the Center for Public Safety Excellence’s 16th annual awards ceremony held during Fire-Rescue International in Atlanta, Georgia.
As far back as the late 1990s, Chief White embraced excellence through accreditation and was a catalyst that began the process that ultimately led his department to accreditation success and in 2008 he became a CFO designee. His vision of said excellence has never stopped as he continues to remain involved in many CPSE components, serving as a Peer Assessor/Team Leader, Instructor, Technical Advisor, Mentor, and part of the latest CPSE re-imagining of the model component.
When CPSE led the charge for greater consortium support within in the accreditation system, Jim took the reins in the formation and management of the consortium supporting the many agencies in Florida. His leadership has ensured more agencies remain or join in the accreditation process.
When the Pass the Baton challenge was presented, he took it to heart and challenged all of his officers to pursue credentialing and provided the avenues toward success. Through his leadership, the way was paved for officers to be credentialed, not because of a mandate, but because of an opportunity that was supported by his leadership example. Now, the credentialing component is institutionalized in a department known for excellence.
His continuous vision and drive led his department to be innovators in the world of ambulance safety, which changed the way ambulances are designed – with safety for the providers in mind. He has continued to lead the department to excellence, paving the way for an Insurance Services Office (ISO) Cass 1 rating in 2013; and accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services (CAAS) in 2014. Excellence and leadership are synonymous for this agency and its leadership team.
He continues to remain involved in many areas of the industry and within his community. He has and remains the person to go to when a solution or innovation needs that extra boost to make it a reality. No challenge is too great. His passion for the career he calls family never slows.
When we think of Chief Ronny Coleman, we think of the global impact that he has made in the industry. Through his leadership in an industry he loves, supports, and champions this year’s recipient truly reflects what the fire service is and can be…just like Chief Coleman. Both garner support and admiration for their untiring mission of excellence.
The Ronny Jack Coleman Leadership Legacy Award recognizes an individual who holds the Chief Fire Officer (CFO) Designation for their superior leadership and actions that have elevated the international Fire and Emergency Services profession through mentoring, teaching and sharing outstanding contributions; and who has exhibited the consistent dedication and commitment to fire service profession by demonstrating a devotion to help raise the International Fire and Emergency Services to greater heights.
The Center for Public Safety Excellence Inc. (CPSE) is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization established in 1996 to award accreditation to fire and emergency service agencies and to pursue scientific research and education in the public interest. In 2000 credentialing was developed to facilitate in the professional development and career planning for fire and emergency service personnel.
The Center for Public Safety Excellence primary concentration is on its accreditation and credentialing models. The accreditation model identifies and maintains optimal levels of fire and emergency services for agencies. The credentialing model elevates and sustains the professional standards for those persons responsible for managing and delivering essential fire and emergency services.
The Center for Public Safety Excellence conducts workshops and publishes materials specifically designed to achieve and maintain a continuous path for quality improvement for both fire and emergency service agencies and personnel. CPSE has a consulting service to help the fire and emergency service community meet the new public expectations to achieve and measure standards of effectiveness for the cost and methods of delivering essential fire and emergency services.
For more information go to www.publicsafetyexcellence.org.
