8/23/2022 - FECC Earns Award for Dispatch Excellence
Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – FECC Earns Award for Dispatch Excellence
DATE: August 23, 2022
MEDIA CONTACT: Teal Soden, Communications Director, 907-459-6793, tsoden@fairbanks.us
Fairbanks Emergency Communication Center (FECC) has been recognized by The International Academies of Emergency Dispatch (IAED) as an Accredited Center of Excellence (ACE) for emergency dispatching. Worldwide, FECC ranks as the 309th center for Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD), 66th for Emergency Fire Dispatch (EFD), and 31st center for EMD and Fire combination.
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.
FECC has been working towards accreditation goals since 2013. During the process of working towards accreditation, FECC added a Quality Assurance (QA) Team that reviews calls and gives feedback to the dispatchers regarding their use of protocols that prioritize calls and provide emergency instruction to callers. Many on the QA Team took on this responsibility as they continued their work as dispatchers. One full-time QA Specialist was added to the FECC staff in 2021.
“I am really proud of the dispatchers in our center,” said Dispatch Manager Kristi Merideth. “They consistently show their dedication to this community through their tireless efforts to help callers in emergency situations. We’ve been working towards these accreditation goals for a long time and Fairbanks should be proud of each one of these amazing first responders.”
“Accreditation is truly a pinnacle achievement,” said Christof Chwojka, Accreditation Board Chair at IAED. “We applaud the dedicated calltakers, dispatchers, and leadership team at FECC 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 FECC 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. Fairbanks Emergency Communication 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. FECC continues to work toward accreditation for police.
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 System—is recognized as the standard of care and practice for emergency dispatch and is used in 46 countries.
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