Rehoboth Beach 9-1-1 Communications Center Earns Awards for Dispatch Excellence
February 20, 2026
Rehoboth Beach 9-1-1 Communications Center has been recognized by The International Academies of Emergency Dispatch® (IAEDTM) as an Accredited Center of Excellence (ACE) for Emergency Medical Dispatching (EMD), Police (EPD), and Fire (EFD). Rehoboth Beach is the 79th Emergency Medical Dispatch ACE in the world.
IAED is the standard-setting organization for emergency dispatch services worldwide. Accreditation (and subsequent re-accreditation) from the IAED is the highest distinction given to emergency communication centers, certifying that the center is performing at or above the established standards for the industry. Centers who earn ACE status are the embodiment of dispatch done right, and have demonstrated strong local oversight, rigorous quality processes, and a commitment to data-driven continuous improvement.
“Re-ACE is not something you accomplish once, it’s something an agency has to earn every day; it is a direct reflection of the professionalism and compassion our 911 team demonstrates day in and day out, says Nicholas Priddy, Emergency Communication Manager. “The recognition belongs to the entire team. They consistently perform at a high level while serving people on what is often the worst day of their lives.”
Achieving Re-Accredited Center of Excellence status requires meeting rigorous national standards for emergency call handling and quality assurance. The department maintains policies that align with those standards and works closely with local and state public safety leadership to ensure call-taking procedures reflect the needs of the Rehoboth Beach community.
As part of the reaccreditation process, emergency calls are independently reviewed by the Academy to evaluate both dispatcher performance and the department’s internal quality assurance program. Locally, the QA team reviews more than half of all calls each year, providing ongoing feedback and support that helps dispatchers consistently exceed national benchmarks.
“Accreditation is truly a pinnacle achievement”, said Christof Chwojka, Accreditation Board Chair at IAED. “We applaud the dedicated calltakers, dispatchers, and leadership team at [Agency] for their commitment to quality, and for meeting that high standard that few achieve. We know their community can count on these first, first responders to do an outstanding job.”
IAED will present Rehoboth Beach with an Accreditation plaque that commemorates their achievement. IAED Accreditation is the culmination of a lengthy, arduous process that includes the completion of the 20 Points of Accreditation, a detailed evaluation of performance by industry experts, and a final review and ruling by IAED.
Accreditation is valid for a three-year period, during which all standards must be upheld. Emergency communication centers can earn multiple accreditations, one for each emergency discipline they service (medical, fire, police, and emergency nurse triage).
Over 3,500 emergency communication centers worldwide use the medical, fire, police, and emergency nurse triage protocols developed and maintained by the IAED. The protocol-based system—known as the Priority Dispatch SystemTM—is recognized as the standard of care and practice for emergency dispatch, and is used in 46 countries.
About IAED
For more than 40 years, the IAED has been the standard-setting organization for emergency dispatch and response services worldwide, and is the leading body of emergency dispatch experts. We are a member-driven association working to serve the public through the professional development of dispatchers. Our various boards and councils work on behalf of the membership—and in coordination with other public safety organizations—to ensure that the comprehensive system of emergency dispatching is as safe, fast, effective, and up-to-date as possible.
City of Rehoboth Beach Media Contact
Brooke Thaler, Communications Manager
bthaler@rehobothbeachde.gov
IAED Media Contact
Matthew Miko
Executive Director of Academics, Research, and Communications
matthew.miko@emergencydispatch.org
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