The International Academies of Emergency Dispatch (IAED) has formally acknowledged the efforts and dedication of Cobb County's Department of Emergency Communications (DEC), by awarding its police dispatch center with the esteemed Accredited Center of Excellence (ACE) status. This prestigious designation recognizes the center's adherence to the highest standards of emergency response and places it amongst the world's elite, being only the 33rd to have ever achieved such status for police dispatch, as per an announcement on the Cobb County website.
For Director Melissa Alterio and her Cobb County DEC team, this is not just a badge to proudly wear but a testament to their unwavering commitment. In a statement obtained by the Cobb County website, Alterio expressed her pride, articulating that this achievement "exemplifies their professionalism, resilience, and unwavering commitment to serving the citizens, visitors, and first responders of Cobb County." The journey to accreditation wasn't a swift one but rather a meticulous effort that began years ago with a major overhaul of their quality assurance program.
Two key DEC members, Training Coordinator Leighann Schultz and Quality Assurance Evaluator Sidney Walker, received specific commendation for their roles in fostering innovative training strategies which undoubtedly paved the way for the accreditation. The rigorous IAED accreditation process entailed meeting 20 Points of Accreditation—criteria which underscore a commitment to meticulous local oversight, stringent quality standards, and a dedication to ongoing data-driven improvement within emergency response systems.
The IAED employs the Priority Dispatch System as the benchmark for emergency dispatching, a system adopted by over 3,500 communication centers in 46 countries globally. Director Alterio notes the particular significance of the ACE recognition as, according to the Cobb County website, "police calls represent the highest volume of calls we handle." This raises the stakes and consequently, the value of delivering exceptional service consistently. To honor this distinction, the IAED will present the Cobb County DEC team with an accreditation plaque at the 2025 Navigator Conference in Orlando, Florida.
