Ocoee Fire Department Deputy Chief obtains Chief Fire Officer designation

Ocoee Fire Department Deputy Chief Jerome Byrd Jr. completed an international professional designation process that awarded him with the designation of Chief Fire Officer, which he officially received Tuesday, April 4. 

According to a press release, "The Designation program is a voluntary program designed to recognize individuals who demonstrate their excellence in seven measured components including experience, education, professional development, professional contributions, association membership, community involvement and technical competence." 

In order to receive the Chief Fire Officer designation, all applicants need to identify a future "professional development plan." 

As of right now, Byrd Jr. became one of only 1,784 Chief Fire Officers in the world. 

According to a press release, this designation is only valid for three years, and maintaining it requires the "recipients to show continued growth in the areas of professional development, professional contributions, active association membership and community involvement as well as adhere to a strict code of professional conduct."