Officials said the CFFD is the 95th medical ACE and second fire ACE globally. The dispatch unit handles more than 38,000 calls annually.
What it means
CFFD District Chief Michael Bergholtz, who oversees the training and development of dispatch personnel, said in addition to being able to quickly coordinate emergency efforts, a good dispatcher must also have emotional and mental fortitude. Callers are often emotional and may not be thinking clearly, so dispatchers should be able to remain calm while guiding callers through life-saving procedures and problem-solving.
“Most people don’t stop to think about what dispatchers do,” Bergholtz said in the release. “Yet these highly skilled individuals are a much-needed lifeline in times of desperation, and the ‘front door’ to the community’s emergency services. Just because they don’t show up on the scene, that doesn’t mean they don’t save lives. They do, every day.”
According to the release, accreditation from the IAED is the highest distinction given to emergency communication centers and means the dispatch center performs at or above industry standards.
Quote of note
“Not only does building a great dispatch team require finding the right people, it requires excellent training,” CFFD Fire Chief Amy Ramon said in the release. “We believe in investing in our people, and this accreditation validates everyone’s hard work and showcases our commitment to the community. Our fire department is determined to create a world-class culture that attracts great people, keeps them motivated and inspired, and makes them want to stay. The citizens of Cy-Fair deserve nothing less.”
