The Commission on Fire Accreditation International unanimously approved the Cary fire department's application. The town's fire department is one of 148 fire and rescue agencies in the world to achieve the accredited agency status, according to the town.

"We are extremely proud to be reaffirmed as a top fire/rescue agency," Cary Fire Chief Allan Cain said in a news release. "Every day, our staff remains focused on providing the best fire protection and rescue services possible to our citizens."

The town was initially accredited in 1999 and last reaccredited in 2005.

In June, a peer review team conducted an on-site visit of the town's fire department, evaluating the agency for its self-assessment manual, community risk analysis, standard of coverage and business plan. The assessment also inspects the department's governance, goals, financial resources, programs and training.

Cary's fire department includes 209 employees and a fleet of 15 vehicles. In fiscal year 2009, the department's annual budget was $16.6 million. The department responded to nearly 7,000 fire and first responder calls.

The department was originally created in 1921 and until 1960, functioned on an all-volunteer basis with some support from the town.

Before that, Cary relied on the Raleigh Fire Department for its fire and rescue services.

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