Largo, FL (08/29/2024) — Sunstar Paramedics has been recognized by The International Academies of Emergency Dispatch® (IAEDTM) as an Accredited Center of Excellence (ACE) for emergency medical dispatching. Sunstar Paramedics was the 34th Medical ACE in the world and has been re-certified 9 times.
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. 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.
Sunstar Paramedics Dispatch processes over 230,000 calls for service a yea resulting in almost 200,000 transports by ambulance. Sunstar Paramedics strives “to provide compassionate quality care and service built around the needs of the patients we serve through effective partnerships”.
“It is truly an honor to be recognized by IAED for the incredible hard work our team does every day”, said Brian Eells, Director of Communications. “Our team of emergency medical dispatchers pride themselves on getting the right resources to the community members in need as safely and efficiently as possible”.
Chief Operating Officer, Richard Schomp said “This distinction reflects the dedicated, hard work our employees do everyday to serve the Pinellas Community.”
“Accreditation is truly a pinnacle achievement”, said Christof Chwojka, Accreditation Board Chair at IAED. “We applaud the dedicated calltakers, dispatchers, and leadership team at Sunstar Paramedics 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 Sunstar Paramedics with an Accreditation plaque that commemorates their 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.
Accreditation is valid for a three-year period, during which all standards must be upheld. Emergency communication centers can earn multiple accreditations, one for each emergency discipline they service (medical, fire, police, and emergency nurse triage).
Over 3,500 emergency communication centers worldwide use the medical, fire, police, and emergency nurse triage protocols developed and maintained by the IAED. The protocol-based system—known as the Priority Dispatch SystemTM—is recognized as the standard of care and practice for emergency dispatch, and is used in 46 countries.
About Sunstar Paramedics
Sunstar has been proudly serving the Pinellas County community since 1998 and has been recognized both locally and nationally dozens of times for the outstanding level of care our highly skilled team of emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and Paramedics provide.
Sunstar Paramedics Media Contact
Brian Eell,
Director of Communications
About IAED
For more than 40 years, the IAED has been the standard-setting organization for emergency dispatch and response services worldwide, and is the leading body of emergency dispatch experts. We are a member-driven association working to serve the public through the professional development of dispatchers. Our various boards and councils work on behalf of the membership—and in coordination with other public safety organizations—to ensure that the comprehensive system of emergency dispatching is as safe, fast, effective, and up-to-date as possible.
IAED Media Contact
Matthew Miko
Director of Academics, Research, and Communications