St. Charles fire chief earns international accreditation
St. Charles Fire Chief Joe Schelstreet has been designated a Chief Fire Officer by the Commission on Professional Credentialing.
The designation is awarded for meeting professional, educational, technical, and community service achievements and fulfilling prescribed standards of performance, ethics, and conduct. An official presentation will be made at the March 2 city council meeting.
Schelstreet is one of only 1017 designated CFOs worldwide. To maintain the designation, CFOs must show future achievement in four areas: professional development, professional contributions, active association membership and community involvement.
"Achieving this credentialing status is a significant accomplishment for Chief Schelstreet," said City Administrator Mark Koenen. "He has provided exemplary service to the department and the community for many years, and this designation clearly illustrates his commitment to provide the highest quality of service to the citizens of St. Charles."
The Commission on Professional Credentialing, an entity of the Center for Public Safety Excellence Inc., administers the CFO Designation Program. The CPC consists of individuals from academia, federal and local government, and the fire and emergency medical services professions.
Schelstreet joined the St. Charles Fire Department full-time in 1988 as a firefighter. He was promoted to lieutenant in 1992, captain in 1997, assistant chief in 2003 and chief in 2013. Schelstreet holds a bachelor's degree from Southern Illinois University, a master's degree in management and organizational behavior from Benedictine University, and a master's degree in fire and emergency management from Oklahoma State University.
In 2013, Chief Schelstreet led the St. Charles Fire Department to earn accreditation from the Commission on Fire Accreditation International and our Emergency Management Agency (EMA) to achieve accreditation through the Illinois EMA in 2014.
About the City of St. Charles
Friendly neighborhoods, diverse retailers, international employers, innovative schools, beautiful parks, varied cultural amenities, and unique architecture have earned St. Charles its reputation as the Pride of the Fox. Located in both DuPage and Kane counties, the city of St. Charles is 35 miles west of downtown Chicago, and has a population of approximately 33,000. Over 2,100 businesses, consisting of a balanced mix of retailers, restaurants and manufacturing facilities, employ more than 18,000 people. The City of St. Charles was named the #1 City for Families by Family Circle® magazine in 2011; one of the "150 Great Places in Illinois," by the AIA Illinois; and one of the "Top 10 Towns To Live In" by West Suburban Living magazine. Visit www.stcharlesil.gov.