Johnson County Emergency Communications Center has been recognized by The International Academies of Emergency Dispatch as an Accredited Center of Excellence for emergency medical dispatching. Johnson County ECC is the 277th Emergency Medical Dispatch ACE in the world.

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.

Johnson County ECC initially achieved ACE accreditation in 2020 for EMD with this being the first reaccreditation.  “The level of service and standards that are set for ECC are extremely high, not only for our dispatching services, but also for call-taking.  Reaccreditation proves that we are exceeding what is expected of our team. This achievement shows the leadership from our exceptionally talented Quality Assurance Manager, Gale Wash, and the commitment and dedication from our hard-working and remarkable staff,” said Deputy Director Rick Gisolf.

Johnson County ECC serves an area of approximately 1070 square miles in Johnson and Miami Counties.  ECC dispatches calls for all fire agencies within Johnson County, as well as all EMS calls for Med-Act and Miami County EMS. 

“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 Johnson County ECC 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 Johnson County ECC 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. Johnson County ECC 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 (medical, fire, police, and emergency nurse triage).

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.

About IAED

For more than 40 years, the IAED has been the standard-setting organization for emergency dispatch and response services worldwide and is the leading body of emergency dispatch experts. We are a member-driven association working to serve the public through the professional development of dispatchers. Our various boards and councils work on behalf of the membership—and in coordination with other public safety organizations—to ensure that the comprehensive system of emergency dispatching is as safe, fast, effective, and up to date as possible.