Emergency Communications Center

Accreditations

Public Safety Communications

On March 25, 2006, the Chesterfield County Emergency Communications Center was awarded national accreditation through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA). This award distinguishes the Center as only the 3rd 9-1-1 center in the Commonwealth of Virginia to be nationally accredited by the commission. The Center is now among only 40 communication centers nationwide who have accomplished accreditation by CALEA.

This action came as a result of two years of work by Accreditation Manager Pam Cimburke and other Center staff members, who prepared the paperwork required to document compliance with 216 multi-part standards. An on-site review of the Center’s operations, personnel, and equipment was conducted by CALEA assessors in December, 2005.

CALEA was formed in 1979, and is comprised for four major law enforcement executive membership associations: International Association of Chiefs of Police, National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, National Sheriff's Association, and the Police Executive Research Forum. CALEA (a.k.a. the Commission) was created to develop a set of universal law enforcement standards and an accreditation process by which law enforcement agencies at the state levels can demonstrate voluntarily that they meet professional standards.

In 1996, CALEA and Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) combined resources to develop an accreditation program specifically for Public Safety Communications Agencies.

The goals of the Public Safety Communications Accreditation Program are to:

1. Promote superior public safety communications services.
2. Recognize professional excellence.

There are eight major steps in the accreditation process:

1. Application
2. Self Assessment
3. Mock Assessment
4. On site Assessment
5. Commission Review
6. Awarding of Accreditation Status
7. Maintenance of Compliance
8. Re-accreditation

The benefits of accreditation include:

1. Providing better public services
2. Controlled liability insurance costs
3. Stronger defense against lawsuits and citizen complaints
4. Support from government officials
5. Verification of excellence

The accreditation period lasts for three years. During this time, the Center must submit annual reports that document continuing compliance with applicable standards. Re-accreditation occurs at the end of the three years, pending another successful on-site assessment and hearing before the Commission.  

Emergency Medical Dispatch

On October 21, 2005, the Commonwealth of Virginia Office of Emergency Medical Services (OEMS) awarded Emergency Medical Dispatch Accreditation to the Chesterfield County Emergency Communications Center. The accreditation program was established to promote implementation of emergency medical dispatch (EMD) protocols and continued training and education. To receive this accreditation , the Center had to meet the following:

1. Implementation of an emergency medical dispatch system meeting or exceeding standards established by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and accepted and recognized by the American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM).
2. Minimum of 25% of the Center's personnel are certified as an emergency medical dispatcher through an approved EMD program.
3. Minimum of one person on staff is certified as an emergency medical dispatch instructor through an approved EMD program.
4. Minimum one person with EMD certification is on duty at the Center at all times.
5. A minimum 40 hours training, bi-annually, of continuing EMD/EMS communications education.
6. A quality assurance and quality improvement process to assure EMD system compliance. This consists of call review and call monitoring.
7. An annual report is submitted to OEMS documenting compliance with all guidelines set by OEMS for accreditation.
8. These standards must also be accepted by a currently endorsed EMS Physician as defined in Virginia EMS Regulations; 12 VAC 5-31-1800 & 1810.