Red Deer Emergency Services (RDES) was recognized for their Emergency Fire Dispatch Accredited Centre of Excellence accreditation at a ceremony in Washington, DC on April 24.

The accreditation, which was awarded in February, acknowledges the Red Deer 9-1-1 Emergency Communications Centre’s exceptional performance and professional service to both residents and first responders.

“Our citizens are getting world-class service when they call into our 9-1-1 centre,” said Ken McMullen, Red Deer Emergency Services Chief/Manager. “Not only are our operators providing the caller with exceptional care, but they are getting the best possible information and support to our crews as they respond to the situation.”

With this accreditation, RDES is now the only department in the world with four accreditations in fire and medical services. Red Deer’s 9-1-1 Emergency Communication Centre is now just one of 45 centres in the world with the Emergency Fire Dispatch accreditation, and one of only two in Canada with both fire and medical dispatch accreditation.

Red Deer Emergency Services has achieved the following accreditations:

 Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI): 2016 – 2020

 Emergency Medical Dispatch Centre of Excellence: 2017 – 2020

 Accreditation Canada – Accredited with Exemplary Standing 2018 – 2021

 Emergency Fire Dispatch Centre of Excellence: 2018 – 2021

“I am very proud of the work our team has done to earn these accreditations,” said McMullen, “We always strive for continuous improvement and excellence and will continue to develop and hone our technical skills to meet and exceed standards for accreditation in the future.”

The Red Deer 9-1-1 Emergency Communications Centre is a Primary 9-1-1 Public Safety Answering Point for more than 70 municipalities in central and southern Alberta and serves as a 9-1-1 caller’s first contact when they dial 9-1-1.