The Celina Fire Department is now one of fewer than 50 Texas fire departments that have earned the Best Practices designation, a classification that highlights its excellence in public safety, officials said.

In a nutshell

Representatives from the Texas Fire Chiefs’ Association, the organization behind the designation, awarded Celina Fire Department leadership with a plaque for their accomplishments during a July 9 Celina City Council meeting.

The Best Practices designation was created in 2012 to encourage firefighters to keep improving and striving for excellence in the fire service, said Neil Howard, the head of the Best Practices Committee.

“I’ve been telling y’all for years how good we are, that we’re great, and now I have a plaque to prove it,” retiring Celina Fire Chief Mark Metdker said.


To be recognized, a fire department must demonstrate excellence in all fire service operations, including:
  • Administration and organization
  • Emergency medical service
  • Training
  • Special operations
  • Records and information management
Celina is the 35th Texas fire department to be recognized for best practices by the Texas Chiefs’ Fire Association, Howard said.

“While most communities believe their fire department is excellent, this program lets elected officials, city managers and fire chiefs know that their department is among some of the most elite departments in the state of Texas,” Howard said.​


Zooming out

It took Celina fire department staff three years to gather and submit all of the required documentation to be considered, which included filing evidence of 100 best practices across 12 categories, according to a July 10 city news release.


“There’s many departments in the state that have tried and not been successful,” Howard said.

Celina Fire Department leadership will have to apply again in seven years to maintain its designation.