Calvert County's 911 Services Awarded for Excellence in Public Education

By David M. Higgins II, Publisher/Editor on July 24, 2024

The Calvert County Department of Public Safety's Emergency Communications Division has been recognized with the National Emergency Number Association's (NENA) Partner in Education Recognition (PIER) certificate. This prestigious award highlights the division's commitment to public safety through enhanced community education about 911 services.

The PIER certificate is awarded to Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) that have undertaken specialized training to improve public awareness and understanding of 911 services. This training is essential for ensuring efficient emergency responses, as well-informed communities are better prepared to handle crises.

To be eligible for this honor, PSAPs must meet stringent criteria. These include having at least 70% of their operations staff as members of NENA and half of their operations management team possessing Emergency Number Professional (ENP) certifications. Additionally, supervisory teams are required to complete the 911 NENA Center Supervisor Program, and all telecommunicators must undertake a training program that aligns with or exceeds the recommended minimum guidelines for 911 training.

Further requirements include 24 hours of continuing education every two years for all telecommunicators and adherence to NENA and APCO standards for 911 call processing and quality assurance. PSAPs must also accomplish at least one of several advanced training achievements, such as having half of the management team complete the NENA Center Manager Certification Program (CMCP) or ensuring all operations staff receive at least six hours of NENA-delivered training within two years.

The Calvert County PSAP notably met these rigorous standards, with every operations staff member receiving the required NENA training and half of the management team completing the CMCP.

Public Safety Director Dave McDowell expressed pride in the achievement, stating, "This recognition reflects the dedication of our Emergency Communications team to our citizens and highlights the education and professionalism our staff employ every day to keep Calvert County a safe place to live, work and visit."

NENA, founded in 1982, plays a crucial role in advancing public safety communications through its dedication to research, planning, training, and education related to emergency 911 services. The organization's work ensures that emergency response systems are reliable, efficient, and capable of meeting the evolving needs of public safety.

For more information on the services provided by the Calvert County Department of Public Safety, Emergency Communications Division, including police, fire, and EMS communications, visit their website at www.CalvertCountyMd.gov/EmergencyCommunications.