Congresswoman Torres Fights for Recognition and Empowerment of America’s 9-1-1 Dispatchers in Harvard Journal on Legislation
Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) – a former 9-1-1 dispatcher for over 17 years – today highlighted her policy essay on the unsung heroes of America’s first responder workforce: 9-1-1 dispatchers. In the latest volume of the Harvard Law School Journal of Legislation, Congresswoman Torres emphasizes the critical work dispatchers provide to the American public and the need for improved workplace conditions. In her essay, titled: “Occupational Reclassification for Public Safety Telecommunicators: A Necessary Step Toward a Stronger Public Safety Workforce,” Congresswoman Torres spotlights her push to improve America’s public safety telecommunicator system by enhancing support, training, and compensation for these life-saving professionals.
“Our country’s first responder system would be nowhere without 9-1-1 dispatchers, and it is time their classification and treatment reflected this. Dispatchers, who are predominantly women, are consistently overlooked and undervalued in our emergency workforce, making them first on the chopping block during budget cuts. Additionally, due to their clerical status, dispatchers are not given proper training and mental health resources for the extremely challenging tasks they face each day. I know too well how important these workers are to protecting the American people and it is crucial to both the well-being of emergency personnel and to the safety of our nation that their workplace conditions improve. It all starts with reclassification,” said Congresswoman Torres.
America’s 100,000+ 9-1-1 dispatchers are the first first responders for millions of emergency calls each year. They provide crucial information to emergency responders by analyzing background noise taking place on live calls, gathering information about the caller’s location, monitoring and tracking police, fire, and ambulance statuses, and often providing lifesaving instructions over the phone. Despite their essential functions, dispatchers are not classified as first responders. Congresswoman Torres’ bipartisan 9-1-1 SAVES Act with Congresswoman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) makes this simple fix at no cost to the American taxpayer.
Read Torres’ full policy essay here.
The bipartisan 9-1-1 SAVES Act has 101 cosponsors and is endorsed by the following organizations: American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials- International (APCO), National Emergency Number Association (NENA), National Alliance on Mental Illness, National Crime Prevention Council, International Association of Fire Fighters, National Association of State 911 Administrators, National League of Cities, International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, Peace Officers Research Association of California (PORAC), Tennessee Emergency Number Association, Massachusetts Communications Supervisors Association, University of Chicago Health Lab: Transform911, Chino Police Department, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, Georgia Association Women in Public Safety, and California State University San Bernardino Police Department.
Throughout her time in Congress, Torres has elevated the needs of public safety professionals by fighting for them to get the resources they need to save lives and keep the public safe. To learn more about her 9-1-1 SAVES Act, click here.