Madison County Emergency Communications Center earns APCO accreditation; EMS team publicly commended

Madison County officials on Jan. 13 announced that the county’s Emergency Communications Center has achieved APCO accreditation, a national standard for public safety telecommunicators, and publicly commended EMS personnel who aided a life‑saving call.

Bridal, identified in the transcript as the director of the Emergency Communications Center, said staff spent about a year compiling documentation to meet APCO’s requirements. The center met roughly 36 principal standards with many subordinate requirements—totaling an estimated 125–150 criteria—covering call‑taking protocols, dispatch procedures for law enforcement, fire and EMS, training and center management. Bridal said accredited centers in Virginia now number 14 and that accreditation lasts four years before the program requires re‑submission and ongoing documentation.

During public comment the board recognized Jefferson‑area EMS staff and the dispatcher who coordinated the Dec. 11, 2025 response. A resident read a letter naming EMS personnel Jordan Picci, Haley Roberts and Chris Turner and a county dispatcher (Ware) for their roles in saving a life; the board invited staff and leadership to join those being recognized for a group photo.

Board members praised the county’s first responders and staff for planning, mutual aid coordination and keeping facilities operational through recent storms. The board asked staff to document the accreditation and recognition and noted continued reporting and re‑accreditation timelines.