Cobb’s 911 Team Receives Prestigious International Honor

Cobb County's Department of Emergency Communications (DEC) has earned one of the highest honors from the International Academies of Emergency Dispatch (IAED). The IAED recently announced that Cobb's DEC achieved Accredited Center of Excellence (ACE) status for police dispatch.

This recognition places Cobb County DEC among an elite group, as it is only the 33rd police dispatch center worldwide to receive this accreditation.

"I am extremely proud of our team for this extraordinary achievement," said DEC Director Melissa Alterio. "This accomplishment exemplifies their professionalism, resilience, and unwavering commitment to serving the citizens, visitors, and first responders of Cobb County."

The IAED's ACE credential represents the highest distinction for emergency communication centers, certifying that they meet or exceed global standards for best practices in emergency response.

Achieving ACE status was the result of a multi-year effort, starting with a comprehensive overhaul of the DEC's quality assurance program. Alterio praised Training Coordinator Leighann Schultz and Quality Assurance Evaluator Sidney Walker for their instrumental roles in implementing innovative training strategies, providing quality feedback, and successfully navigating the accreditation process.

"This accomplishment marks a significant milestone in our journey of continuous improvement," Alterio said. "Achieving ACE status for Emergency Police Dispatch is particularly remarkable because police calls represent the highest volume of calls we handle. This achievement reflects our team's dedication and commitment to delivering exceptional service to the community."

The accreditation process required the DEC to meet 20 Points of Accreditation, which include stringent local oversight, rigorous quality standards, and a commitment to data-driven continuous improvement. The IAED's Priority Dispatch System, recognized as the standard of care for emergency dispatch, is used in over 3,500 emergency communication centers across 46 countries.

The IAED will present the Cobb County DEC team with an accreditation plaque during the 2025 Navigator Conference in Orlando, Florida.