BLOOMFIELD, NJ - Bloomfield Fire Captain Carl Mercado was recently recognized for his professionalism, educational and technical achievements, as well as his community service efforts by attaining the designation of Fire Officer from the distinguished Center for Public Safety Excellence. This esteemed title is shared with only 660 other Fire Officers internationally.
“I am immensely proud of Captain Mercado for attaining this prestigious certification,” said Louis Venezia, Fire Chief of the Bloomfield Fire Department. “His commitment is a great benefit to our department. He has demonstrated through his education, professional affiliations and technical competence that he possesses the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities required for the fire and emergency services profession.”
A resident of Bloomfield and also serving as the Fire Department’s Accreditation Manager, Captain Mercado joined the Department in 2012 and was promoted to Captain in 2022. In addition to his service to the local community, he also recently retired after proudly serving his country for twenty one years in the Navy Reserves, achieving the rank of Chief Petty Officer.
The Commission on Professional Credentialing (CPC) model is designed to assist in the professional development of fire and emergency service personnel by providing guidance for career planning through participation in the program. Designated officers are often described as being progressive and well-rounded. Part of the reason for this is the holistic scope of the CPC model. It looks at the “whole officer”, focusing on components that cover the span of an officer’s experience.