The Lake County Office of Fire Rescue has been recognized for reaccreditation by the International Academies of Emergency Dispatch (IAED) as an Accredited Center of Excellence (ACE) for emergency medical dispatching. The Lake County Office of Fire Rescue is one of only 60 Accredited Center of Excellence communication centers worldwide that have received accreditation six times.
The International Academies of Emergency Dispatch sets quality standards for emergency dispatch centers. Dispatch centers receive accreditation based on telecommunicator performance, adherence to local procedures and policies, quality control and supervisor review of calls, and documentation of certifications. The reaccreditation is valid for three years, certifying that the center is performing at or above the established standards for the industry. IAED accreditation is available for emergency communication centers and includes medical, fire, police, and emergency nurse triage disciplines.
“Positive outcomes for emergencies rely on timely and accurate communication between our dispatchers and first responders in the field. Receiving the reaccreditation from the International Academies of Emergency Dispatch recognizes the Lake County Office of Fire Rescue for the high standards they have achieved and upheld while serving our community,” said Kimberly Stephens, Deputy Chief of Fire Rescue Communications. “This would not have been possible without the diligence and dedication our dispatchers show when answering every call.”
Lake County and the Office of Fire Rescue originally received accreditation in 2009 and continue to maintain compliance. The Office of Fire Rescue provides dispatch services for Lake County Fire Rescue and all municipal fire departments in Lake County.
“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 Lake County Office of Fire Rescue should be very proud of this achievement and the wonderful service they provide to the community and their emergency responders.”
For more information about the Office of Fire Rescue, visit https://www.lakecountyfl.gov/Fire.