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- Emergency Communications Center
Emergency Communications Center
The Chesterfield Emergency Communications Center (ECC) serves as the primary answering point for emergency and non-emergency requests within the county. Our dedicated Emergency Communications Officers (ECOs) work 24/7 to:
- Assist with saving lives and protecting property
- Facilitate the flow of information between callers and county Fire and EMS, Police and Animal Services
- Provide aid and instructions prior to the arrival of public safety field resources
Provide Emergency Contact Information
Chesterfield maintains emergency contact information to assist during emergency responses. Owners and managers of locations such as apartment communities, businesses and places of worship in Chesterfield County are encouraged to provide location information, authorized emergency contacts, owner/management company information and emergency equipment (AEDs, alarm/gate codes, knox boxes, fire systems, security systems, etc.). Provide your emergency contact information or learn more regarding alarm systems permits and false alarms.
Accreditation and Certifications
The goals of the Public Safety Communications Accreditation Program are to promote superior public safety communications services and recognize professional excellence.
Chesterfield Emergency Communications Center has been accredited since 2006 through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA). CALEA has become the primary method for a communications agency to voluntarily demonstrate its commitment to excellence. The program sets standards and best practices related to law enforcement and communications and provides communications center with a process to systemically review and internally assess its operations and procedures.
Chesterfield Emergency Communications has been accredited since 2005 through the Virginia Office of Emergency Medical Services (OEMS). The OEMS maintains an accreditation program for 911 public safety answering points (PSAP) and emergency dispatch centers to promote the implementation of emergency medical dispatch (EMD) protocols and continued training and education in this area. This accreditation is an acknowledgment from the OEMS of a PSAP’s effort to implement guidelines set for communications involving EMS.
CALEA has a public comment portal to receive comments regarding our agency’s compliance with CALEA accreditation standards, engagement in the service community, delivery of public safety services and overall candidacy for accredited status.
CALEA is not an investigatory body and subsequently the public portal should not be used to submit information for such purposes. Additionally, there will be no response other than acknowledgement to submissions; however, the information will be considered in context to its relevancy to compliance with standards and the tenets of CALEA accreditation.
Since 2022, all Chesterfield emergency communication officers are certified in EMD through the International Academy of Emergency Dispatch (IAED). Since 1988, the IAED has developed and maintained advanced protocols for emergency call-taking. The science-based, time-tested approach establishes a globally recognized standard that minimizes subjective interpretation of high-pressure calls, helping emergency dispatchers and call-takers provide a critical lifeline of support.
Performance Plan
The Emergency Communications Performance Plan for fiscal year 2024 (PDF) contains complete information about our goals, objectives, action plans and performance measures. For previous years' performance plans, visit the Archive Center.
Public Education
The ECC provides public education programs on the use of 911. For example, the ECC:
- Assists the Chesterfield Police and Fire Departments in public safety education programs
- Instruct 1st grade students the difference between what situations are and are not emergencies
- Provide hands on practice utilizing a 911 simulator
If you or your organization would like information on 911 public education opportunities provided by Chesterfield Emergency Communications Center, please contact us. Educational information for children can be found at Kids Health - How to use 911.
Hands-Only CPR and PulsePoint Applications
Sudden cardiac arrest can happen to anyone, at any time, and community training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillators (AEDs) can save lives. Chesterfield Fire and EMS has partnered with PulsePoint, which empowers CPR-trained citizens to help improve patient outcomes and save lives by reducing collapse-to-CPR and collapse-to-defibrillation times. Using two applications, PulsePoint Respond and PulsePoint AED, citizens are able to assist in improving response efforts in their local community. Learn more about hands-only CPR training and PulsePoint.
Report a Complaint
If you have a concern about the performance of an Emergency Communications Officer, call the supervisor on duty, 24 hours a day, at 804-748-1251. If the complaint is of an internal affairs nature, such as allegations of corruption or criminal misconduct, please call Director Tommy Tucker at 804-717-6292, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Annual Statistical Summary
View the 2022 Annual Statistical Summary (PDF), which includes a summary and analysis of complaints filed at the Chesterfield Emergency Communications Center. For reports from 2016-2021, visit the summaries and analyses in our Archive Center.
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Emergency Communications Center
Mailing Address
P.O. Box 40
Chesterfield, VA 23832
Non-emergency: 804-748-1251
Emergency: 911
ECC Administration: 804-748-1556
Email the Emergency Communications Center
If immediate services are needed, do not email the center. Please call one of the non-emergency numbers or 911.