Accreditation

International Academy of Emergency Dispatch

The International Academy of Emergency Dispatch (IAED) was established in 1988 as a private non-profit standard setting body for emergency call-taking protocols, training, certification and accreditation.  CRESA’s Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) Accredited Center of Excellence by the IAED ensures the agency’s 9-1-1 dispatchers determine appropriate emergency response and provide quality patient care over the phone.  This is accomplished through an independent evaluation of CRESA meeting the IAED’s “20 Points of Excellence” that are further broken down by over 60 specific standards.

CRESA originally received IAED Accreditation in 1993, becoming the first in the state of Washington, and fourth emergency dispatch center to do so in the world.  Earning IAED Re-Accreditation demonstrates not only to each individual within the 91-1 center, but also the community that CRESA is committed to the international practice standards for emergency medical dispatch.

Commission on Accreditation of Law Enforcement Agencies

The Commission on Accreditation of Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) is a private, non-profit credentialing authority to develop a body of public safety standards of best practices and recognize professional excellence.  To meet accreditation, public safety communication centers must meet over 200 standards covering: recruitment and selection; management and supervision; human resource practices; training and operations.  CRESA was first awarded CALEA Accreditation in 2002, becoming the second 9-1-1 center to do so in the State of Washington.

One of the standards includes providing a CALEA Public Comment Portal for the purpose of receiving public comments regarding CRESA’s compliance with CALEA standards, engagement in the service community, delivery of public safety services, and overall candidacy for accredited status.  The comments entered using the link above, will go to a CALEA representative responsible for assessing CRESA compliance, as well the Director of CRESA for awareness purposes.  

Please Note – The CALEA Public Comment Portal is not intended to submit formal complaints for investigation or to provide commendations for service provided by CRESA.  To submit specific complaints or commendations regarding CRESA services, please see: CRESA Feedback Form. For the annual statistical summary of complaints and internal investigations, please see:  Annual Complaint Summary.

Association of Public-Safety Communications Officers - Project 33

Initial and continuing training is exceedingly important for public safety telecommunicators because they provide essential services in an ever-expanding and rapidly changing public safety environment.  Building and implementing a successful agency training program requires many resources and dedication.  The Association of Public-Safety Communications Offices (APCO) Project 33 accreditation provides a way for public safety agencies to certify that their training program meets APCO American National Standards.  To achieve accreditation, an agency's curriculum, training materials and supporting documentation are thoroughly reviewed by APCO for compliance.