Certifications - Valley Communications Center

Project 33:

In 2006, Valley Communications Center’s Training Program was the first in the country to be recognized as having achieved compliance in meeting or exceeding APCO International’s Project 33, Revised Minimum Training Standards for Public Safety Telecommunicators.  The Standards specify the minimum training requirements of operational personnel assigned to any public safety communications function.  In 2009 Valley Communications Center’s Training Program was awarded Project 33 recertification, having demonstrated that the standards continue to be upheld. 

Washington State Telecommunicator Certification:

The curricula for both Call Receiver and Dispatcher Academy training prepares staff to apply for certification through the Telecommunicator Program at the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission.  Equivalency testing is conducted by the Commission, and staff is required to maintain their certification by meeting minimum training requirements each year. 

King County Emergency Medical Dispatch:

All telecommunications staff attends King County Emergency Medical Services Criteria Based Dispatch training during the academy and receives certification for Emergency Medical Dispatch.  This allows staff to identify critical medical conditions over the telephone and assure the appropriate response is initiated based on medical needs of the patient.  Additional training is required annually through classroom and on-line classes.

NIMS:

Telecommunicators are trained in the National Incident Management System (NIMS) through FEMA, which provides a systematic, proactive approach to guide departments and agencies at all levels of government and the private sector to work to prevent, protect against, and respond to incidents in order to reduce the loss of life and property and harm to the environment.

NCMEC:

In 2011 Valley Communications was recognized as a National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) 9-1-1 Call Center Partner.  This required a demonstration of the Agency's commitment through adoption of best practices in policies and procedures in addition to thorough training of all staff.  By completing the partner program, Valley Com has created a child-centered 9-1-1 system based on the belief that there is nothing more important to our community than protecting children.  For additional information visit www.missingkids.com.