911 Emergency Communications Center Audit Checklist

This comprehensive 911 emergency communications center audit checklist ensures regulatory compliance with NFPA 1221, APCO, NENA, FCC, State E911 Authority. Quarterly audit of public safety answering points (PSAPs) covering call-taking standards, dispatch protocols, technology reliability, quality assurance, and APCO/NENA compliance per NFPA 1221 Standard for the Installation, Maintenance, and Use of Emergency Services Communications Systems. Communications center failures delay emergency respons

  • Industry: Emergency Services
  • Frequency: Per Shift / Daily
  • Estimated Time: 45 minutes
  • Role: Station Captain / Shift Commander / EMS Lead
  • Total Items: 19
  • Compliance: NFPA 1221, APCO, NENA, FCC, State E911 Authority

Technology Systems and Redundancy

Verify technology per NFPA 1221.

  • Is Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system fully operational with no critical pending updates?
  • Is backup CAD or manual dispatch backup procedure available and tested within past 90 days?
  • Is radio system providing adequate coverage with no known dead spots in the service area?
  • Is all phone and radio recording operational with storage sufficient for 30-day retention?
  • Is NG911 capability operational for text-to-911, video, and location data per FCC requirements?
  • Is UPS and emergency generator tested monthly with 72-hour run capability per NFPA 1221?

Call Processing Standards

Verify call processing per APCO/NENA standards.

  • Are 90% of 911 calls answered within 10 seconds per FCC 911 answer time standard?
  • Are dispatchers using approved Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) or Emergency Fire Dispatch protocol for pre-arrival instructions?
  • Is priority dispatch system implemented with response levels matched to incident acuity?
  • Is call transfer to appropriate jurisdiction completed per mutual aid protocols?
  • Is caller location verified and confirmed before dispatching units per PSAP procedures?

Quality Assurance Program

Verify QA per APCO/NENA QA standards.

  • Are minimum number of calls reviewed per dispatcher per month per agency QA standards?
  • Is feedback provided to dispatchers following call reviews with improvement plans for deficiencies?
  • Are all liability-producing calls (delayed response, citizen complaint, major incident) reviewed?
  • Are response time statistics tracked and analyzed for each unit type and geographic area?

Staffing and Dispatcher Training

Verify staffing and certification per APCO/NENA.

  • Is minimum staffing level maintained per agency staffing matrix for all hours of operation?
  • Are all active dispatchers certified per state 911 coordinator or APCO certification requirements?
  • Is continuing education current for all dispatchers per state recertification requirements?
  • Are all dispatchers handling medical calls EMD-certified per agency requirement?

Related Emergency Services Checklists

Why Use This 911 Emergency Communications Center Audit Checklist?

This 911 emergency communications center audit checklist helps emergency services teams maintain compliance and operational excellence. Designed for station captain / shift commander / ems lead professionals, this checklist covers 19 critical inspection points across 4 sections. Recommended frequency: per shift / daily.

Ensures compliance with NFPA 1221, APCO, NENA, FCC, State E911 Authority. Regulatory-aligned for audit readiness and inspection documentation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the 911 Emergency Communications Center Audit Checklist cover?

This checklist covers 19 inspection items across 4 sections: Technology Systems and Redundancy, Call Processing Standards, Quality Assurance Program, Staffing and Dispatcher Training. It is designed for emergency services operations and compliance.

How often should this checklist be completed?

This checklist should be completed per shift / daily. Each completion takes approximately 45 minutes.

Who should use this 911 Emergency Communications Center Audit Checklist?

This checklist is designed for Station Captain / Shift Commander / EMS Lead professionals in the emergency services industry. It can be used for self-assessments, team audits, and regulatory compliance documentation.

Can I download this checklist as a PDF?

Yes, this checklist is available as a free PDF download. You can also use it digitally in the POPProbe mobile app for real-time data capture, photo documentation, and automatic reporting.

Browse More Checklists