Simpsonville firefighters earn Fire Officer designation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Simpsonville firefighters earn designation less than 500 people worldwide have achieved

Simpsonville, S.C. — The City of Simpsonville congratulates Lt. Alex Long and Lt. Ben Williams of the Simpsonville Fire Department for becoming two of only 448 Fire Officer designees worldwide, an achievement signifying excellence in public safety.

The Commission on Professional Credentialing awarded the designation to Lt. Long and Lt. Williams for their “commitment” to a career in fire and emergency services, according to a news release by the Center for Public Safety Excellence.

Long and Williams showed “excellence” in experience, education, professional development, professional contributions, association membership, community involvement and technical competence, Center Deputy Director Debbie Sobotka wrote in the release.

Lt. Long said the application process for the Fire Officer designation gave him an idea of where he wants to go in his career.

“Eventually I would like to be a chief officer, and it enables you to focus on where you want your career direction to go and what you need to do to reach your goals,” he said.

Lt. Williams said the application itself is 20-30 pages, but a completed application ends up being 50-60 pages.

“This is not something you can just get after three or four years,” he said. “Even though it only spans back really five years, some of this stuff we achieved 10 years ago.”

The voluntary designation program uses “comprehensive” peer review to evaluate candidates, the release said. The Commission awards the designation to candidates who successfully meet all “stringent” criteria.

Simpsonville Fire Chief Wesley Williams said he and Lts. Long and Williams’s colleagues are proud of them and appreciate the Commission for recognizing the men for their hard work, skill and dedication to public service.

“If anyone deserves the Fire Officer designation, it’s Lt. Long and Lt. Williams,” Chief Wesley Williams said. “The truth is Lt. Long and Lt. Williams would go above and beyond even if the award did not exist. Like their colleagues, Lt. Long and Lt. Williams know the importance of always performing at the highest level.”

Keeping the designation requires recipients to show “continued growth” in professional development and contributions, active association membership and community involvement and maintain a “strict code” of professional conduct, Sobotka wrote.

The Fire Officer designation is valid for three years, according to the release.

For questions, please contact Justin Campbell, Community Relations Specialist, at 864-838-8051 or email jcampbell@simpsonville.com