MADISON (WKOW) -- Assistant Fire Chief James Keiken has received two top fire officer designations from the National Fire Academy and the Center for Public Safety Excellence.
Chief Keiken has successfully completed the process awarding him the professional designation of Chief Fire Officer (CFO). The Commission on Professional Credentialing (CPC) awards this designation only after an individual successfully meets all of the organization's stringent criteria.
To earn the recognition, Chief Keiken demonstrates extensive knowledge of the emergency services profession and has far surpassed critical core competencies for personnel serving in senior fire officer positions.
Chief Keiken has also successfully completed the National Fire Academy's Executive Fire Officer Program (EFOP), designed to provide senior fire officers with a broad perspective on various facets of fire administration.
These designations are the highest the fire service currently offers. The programs were put in place to ensure that high level fire officers are equipped with the management skills to operate in an increasingly complex environment.
Chief Keiken has been with the Madison Fire Department since January 1990, becoming a paramedic later that same year. He became a Lieutenant in 2000 and was promoted to Division Chief in March 2002. He has served as an Assistant Chief since February 2004.
