This applied research project, as part of The National Fire Academy's Executive Fire Officer Program, dealt with the process of fire department accreditation through the Commission on Fire Accreditation International. The problem was the Guilford Fire Department did not know what benefits would be realized through the accreditation process. The purpose of this applied research project was to determine the benefits of becoming accredited, as well as the cost associated with the process, so that the Guilford Fire Department could make an informed decision regarding the process. Using the descriptive research method, consisting of a review of current literature paired with original research in the form of survey instruments distributed to two unique samples, this author attempted to answer the following research questions: a) What is involved in the process of accreditation? b) What is the total cost of becoming accredited, including fees, salary, and travel? c) What benefits do fire departments realize through the accreditation process? d) Why is New England slow to move toward accreditation?Research indicated there are four benchmark steps in the process of accreditation as well as considerable document preparation. The Guilford Fire Department could expect to encumber accreditation costs in excess of $17,000. Research returned numerous reported benefits associated with accreditation including; increased efficiency, increased transparency, and lowered ISO public protection classification. It was determined that New England is slow to move toward accreditation because of traditionalist attitudes and small, longstanding government entities.The results of this research were analyzed against recommendations from a 2004 fire service study conducted in Guilford. Said analysis proves sufficient overlap to endorse the pursuit of accreditation. It is recommended that Guilford use these results at the committee level to make an informed decision regarding the process of fire department accreditation through The Commission on Fire Accreditation International.