The New Hampshire Department of Safety, Division of Emergency Services and Communications (DESC), commonly known as New Hampshire 911, has been recognized by The International Academies of Emergency Dispatch® (IAED^TM) as an Accredited Center of Excellence (ACE) for emergency medical dispatching for the seventh time in the Division’s history. New Hampshire became the 30th Accredited Center of Excellence by the International Academy of Emergency Dispatch in 1999.

“This reaccreditation reflects the dedication and highest levels of professionalism within the Division of Emergency Services and Communications,” said New Hampshire Department of Safety Commissioner Robert L. Quinn. “Achieving ACE status for a seventh time underscores our team’s unwavering commitment to rigorous standards, continuous improvement, and exceptional service to the people of New Hampshire whenever they call 911.”

IAED is the standard-setting organization for emergency dispatch services worldwide. Accreditation from the IAED, and subsequent re-accreditation, 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.

In 2025, the Division of Emergency Services and Communications answered 435,580 calls for emergencies, of which 98.76% were answered within the first ten seconds of connecting. This level of operational excellence is essential to maintaining a reliable 911 system that helps keep New Hampshire safe.

“The strength of our 911 system starts with our people,” said Mark Doyle, Director of the Division of Emergency Services and Communications. “This recognition reflects the professionalism, consistency and accountability our telecommunicators bring to every call, every day. Earning reaccreditation at this level shows we are not only meeting expectations but continuing to raise the bar.”

“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 New Hampshire 911 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 Division with a plaque that commemorates their accreditation 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.

“This process takes months of coordination, review and validation across multiple areas of our operation,” said Chief of Operations Debbie Bray, who oversees New Hampshire’s 911 call centers. “Our training and quality assurance team led that effort from start to finish, ensuring we continue to meet national standards while strengthening how we support both our telecommunicators and the public.”

Over 3,500 emergency communication centers worldwide use the medical, fire, police, and emergency nurse triage protocols developed and maintained by the IAED. Their protocol-based system is recognized as the standard of care and practice for emergency dispatch and is used in 46 countries.