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Marion County public safety communications earns international accreditations, county leaders commend staff
Summary
Marion County Public Safety Communications received emergency police dispatch accreditation and was recognized as a triple-accredited center of excellence in police, fire and medical dispatch; commissioners lauded the team's work.
Marion County Public Safety Communications was recognized Sept. 3 by county leaders after earning emergency police dispatch accreditation from the International Academies of Emergency Dispatch (IAED). County officials said the designation — part of a triple accreditation across police, fire and medical dispatch — places Marion County among a small number of internationally accredited centers.
Fire Chief James Banta told commissioners the accreditation “underscores the team's professionalism, dedication, and commitment to delivering accurate and efficient emergency services.” The county presentation said the accreditation is rare: the county noted the center is among a few dozen globally (staff said it is one of only 28 agencies recognized as a triple accredited center of excellence).
Lisa Cahoe, a senior member of Public Safety Communications, described the staff effort and highlighted Janelle, the training and accreditation coordinator, for leading the work. Cahoe said the EPD (emergency police dispatch) accreditation required meeting detailed operational and quality standards. An on-stage video shown to the commission emphasized improvements in training, call review and customer service.
Cahoe told the commission the unit had to meet “20 rigorous standards, for each medical, fire, and police,” and that the accreditation work involved call-quality reviews and customer-service measures. Commissioners and county leadership thanked the team and invited PSC staff to accept the commissioners' recognition; commissioners emphasized the role of dispatchers in connecting callers to emergency services.
Why it matters: Accreditation demonstrates that the county’s dispatch center follows national/international protocols for call handling and triage, a key component of emergency response quality assurance. County leaders said it validates training, call-review and performance practices used by 911 dispatchers.
What happens next: The county will continue training and quality assurance work and will publicize the accreditation. Commissioners presented formal recognition and viewed a short video from the PSC team; no formal policy action was required.
