Accreditation
The Raleigh-Wake County Emergency Communications Center is an accredited public safety communications agency through CALEA (Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies). Accreditation is a process whereby an organization or agency can demonstrate voluntarily that they comply with national standards that are an indication of professional excellence. The Raleigh-Wake County Emergency Communications Center was recently awarded their CALEA reaccrediation in October, 2010.
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 was created to develop a set of universal law enforcement standards and an accreditation process by which law enforcement agencies at state levels can demonstrate voluntarily that they meet professional standards.
In 1996, CALEA and APCO (Association of Public Safety Communications Officials) combined resources to develop an accreditation program specifically for Public Safety Communications Agencies.
The goals of the Public Safety Communications Accreditation Program are to:
- Promote superior public safety communications services.
- Recognize professional excellence.
- Not conflict with technical standards established by competent authorities.
Currently there are approximately 6100 9-1-1 Centers across the United States. Out of 6100 PSAPS, only four 9-1-1 Centers have both the CALEA Accreditation and the Accredited Center of Excellence administered by the National Academy of Emergency Dispatch.
The National Academy of Emergency Dispatch began in 1988 with the Medical Dispatch Program and Protocols. It has since expanded to also include a set of fire and police protocols. Raleigh-Wake County Emergency Communications currently uses the Medical Dispatch Protocol and in the future plans to also include the Fire Dispatch Protocol.
The goals and objectives of the National Academies of Emergency Dispatch are:
- "To use and promote the fundamental principles of the scientific method in the pursuit of the Mission."
- "To advocate a single, scientifically defensible protocol which becomes the unifying standard under which all professional emergency dispatchers practice."
- "To advance professionalism within the dispatch community by establishing and promoting an ethics policy as well as minimum standards for curriculum, instruction, certification, recertification, and accreditation of centers."
- "To provide opportunities for members to improve themselves and their organizations through facilitation of communication, providing comprehensive information resources and creating high-quality training and continuing dispatch education through seminars, publications and other media designed to meet our members needs."
- "To establish and promote a collegial, research-based culture that welcomes the expertise of many disciplines through the creation of standing committees, task forces, and subgroups that reach out to other organizations and advise the Academies."
- "To be recognized as the authoritative, independent voice that represents the emergency dispatcher and enhances the profession."