RMWB 911 Dispatch Centre earns 2nd international accreditation for emergency medical dispatch excellence

The Regional Emergency Services (RES) 911 Dispatch Centre recently achieved an important international accreditation for emergency medical dispatching.

The accreditation was announced in June from the International Academies of Emergency Dispatch, and is a globally recognized standard of excellence, representing the highest level of service for public safety communications.

High standards continue after the return of EMS dispatch service

The RES centre initially received emergency medical dispatch accreditation in 2019. Two years later, Emergency Medical (EMS) dispatch was removed from Wood Buffalo as part of a provincial centralization of services. Local efforts and negotiations saw the EMS dispatch service return to Wood Buffalo in 2021.

Regaining this exemplary endorsement was an important goal for the dispatch team and for Regional Emergency Services. There are fewer than 100 agencies in the world that hold this credential. 

“This accreditation is a testament to the ongoing commitment and hard work demonstrated by our local dispatchers. We are proud to have met these rigorous standards and are pleased to see the dispatch team rejoin a select group of agencies that have achieved this level of accreditation.” - Regional Fire Chief Jody Butz

“One of the reasons we advocated for the return of EMS dispatch services to be managed locally is because of their proven standard of excellence. Congratulations to everyone responsible for this well-deserved honour recognizing that we live in a region with some of the best emergency services in the world.” - Mayor Sandy Bowman.

Dispatch centre answered more than 22,000 911 calls in 2025

The centre provides dispatch services for both fire and EMS services and includes 12 full-time dispatchers who are supported by a team of on-call dispatchers and support staff. It was approved as an accredited Emergency Fire Dispatch Centre last year.

In 2025, the RMWB dispatch centre handled 22,647 911 phone calls and responded to more than 5,577 emergency medical events.

The Accreditation is valid for a three-year period, during which all standards must be upheld. The Municipality will be presented with a commemorative plaque to mark the achievement.