By Fiona de Young, Community Relations Manager

Rincon Valley Fire District Assistant Chief James Tucker has successfully completed the process that awards the professional designation of “Chief Fire Officer” (CFO). The Commission on Professional Credentialing (CPC) met on December 7, 2021 to confer the designation. Chief James Tucker becomes one of only 1,594 CFOs worldwide to achieve this honor.

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 addition, all applicants are required to identify a future professional development plan.

The CFO designation program uses a comprehensive peer review model to evaluate candidates seeking the credential. The Commission on Professional Credentialing (CPC) awards the designation only after an individual successfully meets all of the organization’s stringent criteria.

Achieving this designation signifies Chief Tucker’s commitment to his career in fire and emergency services.

Maintaining the designation requires 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. This professional designation is valid for three years.

The Commission on Professional Credentialing, an entity of the Center for Public Safety Excellence, Inc., (CPSE) administers the Designation Program. The CPC consists of individuals from academia, federal and local government, and the fire and emergency medical services profession.

Chief Tucker has been a firefighter since 1992 and has served in each preceding rank, being promoted to Assistant Chief in 2021. In this capacity, he leads the fire district’s operations division. He joined the Rincon Valley Fire District in 2005 and lives in Vail with his wife Loretta. The District is very proud to share his CFO designation with the community.

Fiona de Young recently joined the Rincon Valley Fire District as its new Community Relations Manager. In this role, she is responsible for managing the District’s community engagement and media relations. Before joining the District, Fiona worked as an aide to U.S. Senator Martha McSally. She holds a Master’s Degree in Information Studies from the University of Texas at Austin. Fiona loves hiking in the beautiful mountains of Southern Arizona.

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