Representatives Norma Torres & Brian Fitzpatrick Introduce Bipartisan Resolution to Honor Public Safety Telecommunicators
Washington, D.C. – During National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, Representatives Norma J. Torres (CA-35), the only former 9-1-1 dispatcher serving in Congress, and Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), a former FBI Special Agent, introduced a bipartisan resolution to recognize the contributions of public safety telecommunicators to keeping our communities safe and helping save lives. National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week occurs the second full week of April and honors dispatchers for this critical work.
"I spent over 17 years answering 9-1-1 calls for the city of Los Angeles, and during that time, I lived and worked through the many challenges that 9-1-1 dispatchers navigate on a daily basis," said Congresswoman Torres. "This resolution during National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week gives public safety telecommunicators the proper recognition they deserve here in Congress and across the nation. These professionals are the first point of contact for a person in an emergency, often during the worst moments of his or her life. The best way we can truly honor these unsung heroes is to pass legislation like my bipartisan 911 SAVES Act to ensure their job classification reflects their lifesaving, critical work. I thank Rep. Fitzpatrick for his continued partnership on these issues and urge our colleagues on both sides of the aisle to join us in ensuring dispatchers have the necessary resources to help save lives."
"Public Safety telecommunicators play a critical role in emergency response as the initial first responder in any crisis situation," said Congressman Fitzpatrick. "I am honored to recognize the thousands of operators and dispatchers that work tirelessly to coordinate public safety, police, fire, and ambulance units and to keep our communities safe."
Reps. Torres and Fitzpatrick's bipartisan resolution is co-sponsored by Representatives Anna Eshoo (CA-16), Richard Hudson (NC-09), and Shontel Brown (OH-11). The resolution is also supported by the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) and the National Emergency Number Association (NENA).
"Public safety telecommunicators protect and save lives every day," said APCO Executive Director and CEO Derek. K. Poarch. "APCO welcomes this congressional recognition of National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week and the lifesaving work performed by America's 9-1-1 professionals."
"Public safety telecommunicators are the backbone of our nation's 9-1-1 system. Every day, they respond to calls from their fellow citizens during what is often their most difficult hour. They do so with professionalism, bravery, and a dedication to public service that too often goes unrecognized. NENA thanks Representatives Torres & Fitzpatrick for introducing this resolution and joins them in recognizing the hard work and contributions of our 9-1-1 headset heroes," said NENA CEO Brian Fontes.
In the 117th and 116th Congresses, Torres and Fitzpatrick introduced the bipartisan 911 Supporting Accurate Views of Emergency Services (SAVES) Act to reclassify 9-1-1 dispatchers. Currently, dispatchers are not classified as first responders, though professions like school crossing guards are. By reclassifying 9-1-1 dispatchers as protective service occupations, the 911 SAVES Act gives them the recognition they deserve for the work they do every day to provide lifesaving services and protect the public.
The full text of the resolution can be found here.