Accreditation
The International Academies of Emergency Dispatch has officially recognized this agency an:
- Accredited Center of Excellence (ACE) in Emergency Police Dispatch (EPD)
- Accredited Center of Excellence (ACE) in Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD)
Background and ACE Status
Since fully implementing the International Academies of Emergency Dispatch's (IAED) Priority Dispatch System (PDS) in 2023, the Cincinnati Emergency Communications Center (ECC) began pursuing accreditation. Becoming an IAED Accredited Center of Excellence (ACE) places an emergency communications center in a rare subset of high achieving centers demonstrating a culture of continuous improvement and a high standard of service delivery for residents and visitors. As of April 2026, the ECC was proud to be recognized as an ACE in both Emergency Police Dispatch (EPD) and Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) and is actively pursuing accreditation in Emergency Fire Dispatch (EFD) protocols.
Accreditation Standards
ACE status is earned only after a rigorous evaluation covering twenty different facets of emergency communications center operations. These points cover topics such as call-taker education and training, quality assurance practices, data collection and validation, a review of policy and procedures, collaboration with partnering first responder and emergency personnel agencies and much more. Accreditation is valid for a three-year period, during which all standards must be upheld, and quarterly reports must be submitted to the issuing organization, the IAED. This regular review process will hold the center to a high standard of performance, to not only continue meeting ACE requirements but also to innovate and improve on the processes that achieved ACE status in the first place.
“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 the Cincinnati Emergency Communications Center 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.”
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Dual-ACE Accreditation
As of April 2026, the Cincinnati Emergency Communications Center is one of few dual-ACE emergency communications centers in the world with accredited status in both EPD and EMD. 2026 was a milestone year for the agency, marking the 95th year of service to the Queen City and seeing the first two accreditations earned in that 95-year history. Excellence in medical and police dispatch protocols demonstrates a mastery in call-taking and dispatching of over 65,000 and nearly 200,000 calls annually for emergency medical and police services respectively. Cincinnati ECC was recognized for this achievement at the 2026 Navigator Conference, the premier industry conference for public safety communications professionals.
Next Steps for Tri-ACE
Accreditation in 2 of 3 dispatching disciplines means the ECC is now poised to become a Tri-ACE agency upon earning ACE-status in Emergency Fire Dispatch (EFD). The problem-solving, growth, and team mindset that earned dual-ACE status will inform the ECC's pursuit of EFD accreditation. The agency remains focused on identifying trends in call-taker performance and reinforcing effective call-taking habits while getting closer to meeting ACE requirements in fire dispatch protocols.
What This Means for You...
As a resident, visitor, or regular commuter into the city of Cincinnati, you have an ACE-certified emergency communications center overseeing 911 public safety services in your city. If you or someone you know finds themselves calling 9-1-1 for help in an emergency, you can be confident that a globally renowned call center is ready to take your call. Our staff receive robust and comprehensive training, regular continuous education assignments and use advanced public safety technology to send the right help to the right location of those in need. Through a culture of continuous improvement, the ECC strives to build on its ACE achievement, continuing to innovate in public safety and emergency dispatch to ensure the best quality service to Cincinnatians and those visiting the Queen City.
Read our ACE announcement here.
Learn more about IAED's Accreditation here.