Battalion Chief celebrates 25 years of service and earns international professional designation

Bluffton, SC (October 20, 2023, 9:00 a.m. EDT) – Bluffton Township Fire District’s Battalion Chief, Rhett Livingston, has achieved an international designation capping off a 25-year career working in the fire services profession.

Livingston successfully completed the process that awards the professional designation of “Chief Fire Officer” (CFO) by the Commission on Professional Credentialing® (CPC®). The CPCs development model recognizes professional accomplishments and technical competence of fire and emergency service officers. By earning the CFO designation, Livingston joins an elite cadre of just over 1,850 CFOs worldwide.

The CFO designation is a voluntary assessment program intended to recognize individuals who demonstrate excellence in seven professional components including experience, education, professional development, professional contributions, association membership, community involvement, and technical competence. In addition, all applicants are required to identify a continuing professional development plan.

The CFO designation program uses a comprehensive peer review model to evaluate candidates seeking the credential. The Commission on Professional Credentialing® awards the designation only after an individual successfully meets all the organization’s stringent criteria. Achieving this designation signifies Livingston’s career commitment to the fire and emergency services and is only awarded to those chief officers serving at or above the level of battalion chief.

Livingston is responsible for the Fire District’s accreditation program and was instrumental in guiding the district to international accreditation through the Commission on Fire Accreditation International in 2020. Chief Livingston began his career with Bluffton Township Fire District in October 1998. He has worked his way through the ranks beginning as a line firefighter.

The Commission on Professional Credentialing, an entity of the Center for Public Safety Excellence®, Inc., (CPSE®) administers the Designation Program. To learn more about CPC, visit www.cpse.org/credentialing.