The Loudoun County Fire and Rescue Emergency Communications Center (ECC) has been recognized by the International Academies of Emergency Dispatch® (IAEDTM) as an Accredited Center for Excellence (ACE) for emergency medical, and emergency fire dispatching. Loudoun County Fire and Rescue is the 328th Medical ACE and 72nd Fire ACE in the world.
IAED is the standard-setting organization for emergency dispatch services worldwide. Accreditation (and subsequent re-accreditation) from the IAED is the highest distinction given to emergency communication centers, certifying that the center is performing at or above the established standards for the industry. Centers who earn ACE status are the embodiment of dispatch done right, and have demonstrated strong local oversight, rigorous quality processes, and a commitment to data-driven continuous improvement.
The Loudoun County Fire and Rescue ECC is the Public-Safety Answering Point for Loudoun County and is comprised of thirty-six Public Safety Telecommunicators and its leadership team, which consists of a Training Coordinator and ECC management personnel. These dedicated professionals answer approximately 130,000 9-1-1 calls per year and provide life-saving instructions on a daily basis. “In times of intense personal crisis and community-wide disasters, our Telecommunicators are the first access point for those seeking emergency services,” said System Chief Keith Johnson. “I am extremely proud of our Emergency Communications Center staff for all that they do and thank them for their commitment to the safety and wellbeing of the Loudoun community. On behalf of the Loudoun County Combined Fire and Rescue System, congratulations on this tremendous achievement.”
“Accreditation is truly a pinnacle achievement”, said Christof Chwojka, Accreditation Board Chair at IAED. “We applaud the dedicated calltakers, dispatchers, and leadership team at the Loudoun County Fire and Rescue Emergency Communications Center for their commitment to quality, and for meeting that high standard that few achieve. We know their community can count on these first, first responders to do an outstanding job.”
IAED will present the Loudoun County Fire and Rescue Emergency Communications Center with an Accreditation plaque that commemorates their achievement. IAED Accreditation is the culmination of a lengthy, arduous process that includes the completion of the 20 Points of Accreditation, a detailed evaluation of performance by industry experts, and a final review and ruling by IAED.
"This process is undertaken by communications centers who desire to be the best of the best." explains Kim Rigden, Associate Director of Accreditation, IAED. "Achieving ACE confirms it. The Loudoun County Fire and Rescue Emergency Communications Center should be very proud of this achievement and the wonderful service they provide to the community and their emergency responders."
Accreditation is valid for a three-year period, during which all standards must be upheld. Emergency communication centers can earn multiple accreditations, one for each emergency discipline they service (medical, fire, police, and emergency nurse triage). Over 3,500 emergency communication centers worldwide use the medical, fire, police, and emergency nurse triage protocols developed and maintained by the IAED. The protocol-based system—known as the Priority Dispatch SystemTM—is recognized as the standard of care and practice for emergency dispatch and is used in 46 countries.
About IAED
For more than 40 years, the IAED has been the standard-setting organization for emergency dispatch and response services worldwide, and is the leading body of emergency dispatch experts. We are a member-driven association working to serve the public through the professional development of dispatchers. Our various boards and councils work on behalf of the membership—and in coordination with other public safety organizations—to ensure that the comprehensive system of emergency dispatching is as safe, fast, effective, and up-to-date as possible.