From McHenry Police Chief John Birk:

MCHENRY POLICE DEPARTMENT/ NERCOM EARNS AWARD FOR DISPATCH EXCELLENCE

McHenry, August 11th, 2022 — The McHenry Police Department Dispatch Center, known as North East Regional Communications Center (NERCOM), has been recognized by The International Academies of Emergency Dispatch® (IAEDTM) as an Accredited Center of Excellence (ACE) for Emergency Medical Dispatching.

NERCOM is the 307th Medical 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.

NERCOM, currently dispatches for 16 different agencies.

During the 2021 calendar year, NERCOM answered approximately 41,445 Emergency 911 calls and approximately 79,842 non-emergency administrative calls.

With 22 highly trained full-time telecommunicators, along with the Center’s Supervisor, Jenny Synek, NERCOM operates as one of the area’s largest centers, providing professional dispatch services.

McHenry Police Department Chief, John Birk, said,

“We are thrilled to receive this award, it supports our organizational value of “service” to others through excellence in emergency medical dispatching.”

“Accreditation is truly a pinnacle achievement”, said Christof Chwojka, Accreditation Board Chair at IAED.

“We applaud the dedicated call-takers, dispatchers, and leadership team at the McHenry Police Department / NERCOM 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 the McHenry Police Department 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.

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. IAED is a member-driven association working to serve the public through the professional development of dispatchers. Accreditation is valid for a three-year period, during which all standards must be upheld.