FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact Kris Berg (800) 363-9127 ext. 116 kris.berg@emergencydispatch.org

What does the distinction as an Accredited Center of Excellence (ACE) mean to a communication center holding the credential?    Everything or, at least, it seemed that way for the 10 new and 23 reaccredited centers accepting on-stage recognition at the ACE Recognition Award presentation at the Navigator Conference of the National Academies of Emergency Dispatch (NAED) held April 24-26 in Las Vegas.    The individuals accepting the awards included those representing seven medical public service agencies (EMD ACEs), two fire public service agencies (EFD ACEs), and one police public safety agency (EPD ACE). Their addition to the ACE pool brings the total number to 117 accredited centers worldwide using the NAED’s Medical Priority Dispatch System® (MPDS), Police Priority Dispatch System® (PPDS), or the Fire Priority Dispatch System® (FPDS).    The Medicine Hat 9-1-1 Regional Communication Centre in Alberta, Canada, was in an ACE class of its own at the awards presentation. The center, which is a primary public safety answering point (PSAP) that handles call taking for an array of public safety responder agencies, is the first to ever become an ACE in the use of the police protocol. Medicine Hat had been using PPDS for more than three years before taking serious steps toward accreditation, according to Ronda Grant, the center’s director.    Now that they’ve achieved the distinction, Grant can’t say enough about the department’s accomplishment. “It was a lot of hard work for everyone. It speaks highly of the importance we place on those we serve,” she said.    The standards of all three Priority Dispatch Systems (Police, Fire and Medical) emphasize the same goal. “We’re talking about being excellent,” said Brian Dale, Salt Lake City Fire Department Fire Chief and chair of the NAED Board of Accreditation. “Excellence in dispatch means dedication to central values.”    The accreditation is tangible evidence of management's commitment to excellence. After all, to receive the award a center must pass an extensive 20-point review that establishes local compliance with all national and international standards. The Academy’s Board of Accreditation reviews the center’s application, the center’s documentation of the 20 points, and arranges an onsite visit by an Academy representative.    “There’s a tremendous amount of work that goes into achieving ACE status,” said NAED President Scott Freitag prior to the awards presentation. “We’re all certainly glad to be here to recognize their accomplishment.”    The National Academy can be reached at www.emergencydispatch.org or 800-960-6236. More information about the ACE program is available from the NAED web site at www.emergencydispatch.org/AM20points.html.