Gasconade County’s E-911 Center has become one of only five dispatching centers in Missouri and the 310th in the world to obtain certification as an Accredited Center of Excellence (ACE).

Lisa Schlottach, director of the E-911 program for the county, was informed of the recognition Sept. 27.

“We made it!” Schlottach’s email about the recognition began. “Yesterday we found out that we are the 310th 911 center in the world to be recognized as an Accredited Center of Excellence. We are 1 of 5 in Missouri.”

Kim Rigden-Briscall, associate director of accreditation for the International Academies of Emergency Dispatch (IAED), offered congratulations to the Gasconade County E-911 staff and management.

“I am thrilled to inform you that Gasconade County E-911 is accredited as the world’s 310th Medical ACE,” wrote Rigden-Briscall in an email. “Congratulations to all of you, especially the emergency dispatchers who answer every request for assistance.”

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 which 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.

“Accreditation is truly a pinnacle achievement,” said Christof Chwojka, accreditation board chair at IAED. “We applaud the dedicated call-takers, dispatchers, and leadership team at Gasconade County E-911for 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 Gasconade County E-911 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,” said Rigden-Briscall. “Achieving ACE confirms it. Gasconade County E-911 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.

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. This is member-driven association working to serve the public through the professional development of dispatchers. 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.