The Cobb County Department of Emergency Communications (DEC) has achieved national certification for its 911 training program, vouching for the caliber and efficacy of its training practices. This stamp of approval, known as the Agency Training Program Certification (ATPC), is awarded by the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International, which is in turn recognized by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). It's a rigorous process, one that evaluates an emergency service's training module against predetermined national standards.
According to Cobb County's announcement, the department had to overhaul its training program and then submit it for meticulous review by APCO's ATPC Committee, the DEC Director Melissa Alterio said "This certification is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our team, highlighting our commitment to providing the highest level of training and service to our community" a process that not only helps in elevating the quality of emergency services but also ensures that the personnel are equipped to face any kind of crisis situation with competence and in compliance with national practices.
The renovation and certification of Cobb County's training program was certainly a collective endeavor, with Deputy Director of Professional Standards & Development Robbie McCormick and team members Todd Borowski, Marta Sorchik, Leighann Schultz and Jamie Mumford were in a team effort, McCormick was previously involved in a similar certification process at another agency and expressed pride at seeing his colleagues deepen their understanding of standards and formal training development, "It was a pleasure and an honor to take this group through this process," McCormick said shared with Cobb's County website. Leighann Schultz of the department was present at the APCO 2024 Conference and Expo in Orlando, Florida to receive the recognition on behalf of the DEC.
The Cobb County DEC, as detailed on its website, is a critical communication hub for nearly 800,000 residents and numerous visitors, handling a hefty number of calls—over 900,000 in 2023 alone, these figures are a clear indicator of the importance of having a robust training program to service this vast community, which is now fortified by national certification. For more updates on their services, Cobb County DEC maintains an active presence on several social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
