June 10, 2025 (RENO, Nev.) – REMSA Health announces that it has earned the designation of Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) Accredited Center of Excellence (ACE) from the International Academies of Emergency Dispatch (IAED) for the ninth consecutive time. REMSA Health is the 54th medical ACE in the world.
The 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.
“When someone in Washoe County dials 9-1-1 for a medical emergency, they will receive clinically excellent, protocol-based healthcare over the phone,” said Shannon Popovich, director, REMSA Health Regional Emergency Communications Center. “Achieving and maintaining this international accreditation for 24 years is a testament to the dedication, professionalism, and commitment of our medically trained dispatchers. For decades, REMSA Health has shown that in our community, clinically-excellent care starts with the call.”
EMD accreditation is a significant undertaking for a dispatch center. It includes a 20-point self-assessment focused on continuing education, quality assurance, strong local oversight, leadership and medical director involvement, adherence to protocols, and upholding the IAED code of conduct and ethics. Accredited agencies must also implement active quality improvement committees. REMSA Health’s medical dispatch committees include more than 30 team members who review processes, share successes and assess areas for improvement.
“I am incredibly proud of the supervisors, managers, and staff who consistently contribute to the health and wellbeing of our community by earning this achievement,” said Popovich. “They have a tremendous sense of ownership.”
In addition to successfully accomplishing this emergency medical dispatch reaccreditation cycle, the REMSA Health Emergency Communications Center also became Washoe County’s first accredited emergency fire dispatch center last year – ensuring a level of emergency fire dispatch not previously provided in the Reno-Sparks area.
Accreditation is valid for a three-year period, during which all standards must be upheld.
A REMSA Health spokesperson is available for interviews by request.
###
About REMSA Health and Care Flight
REMSA Health is a private, non-profit community organization which provides a full range of innovative healthcare services outside of the hospital setting. We are funded only by user fees, with no local tax subsidies. REMSA Health provides Washoe County’s 420,000+ residents with 24/7 ambulance services. Care Flight, a service of REMSA Health, provides critical care transport services via ground and air ambulance across the western United States. REMSA Health includes an internationally accredited Regional Emergency Communications Center, a Nevada-licensed Center for Integrated Health and Community Education, an accredited Nurse Health Line, and special operations and special events teams. REMSA Health: Care. Community. Innovation. For more information, visit www.remsahealth.com.
