Lower Bucks Today

In a move coinciding with the observance of National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick and Congresswoman Norma J. Torres have unveiled a resolution aimed at recognizing the essential contribution of public safety telecommunicators in emergency response operations. The week, fixed during the second full week of April each year, honors 9-1-1 dispatchers, who serve as the initial contact point in emergency scenarios.

"When every second counts, it’s the voice of a public safety telecommunicator that begins the chain of survival,” said Rep. Fitzpatrick. Having prior experience as an FBI Special Agent, he emphasized the life-or-death impact of dispatchers' decisions. He described the resolution as not only an acknowledgment but also a "call to action" to ensure these key personnel are appropriately classified, supported, and recognized for their pivotal role in community safety.

Congresswoman Torres shared her personal insights from her 17-year career as a 9-1-1 dispatcher, stating, "For 17 years, I was the voice on the other end of a 9-1-1 call." She emphasized that dispatchers are "more than operators; they are lifelines," and highlighted that their invaluable work often remains unnoticed. She urged her colleagues to pass the bipartisan 911 SAVES Act, which aims to correctly classify 9-1-1 dispatchers as "lifesaving professionals."

Supporting the resolution in the Senate are Senators Ted Budd and Amy Klobuchar, reflecting the resolution's bipartisan backing in Congress. The resolution calls on lawmakers to recognize the vital contributions of public safety telecommunicators and ensure they are fully equipped for their lifesaving duties.

Background information clarifies that Reps. Fitzpatrick and Torres have continuously supported initiatives to elevate the status of public safety professionals. Their proposed 911 SAVES Act advocates for a reclassification of 9-1-1 dispatchers from the “Office and Administrative Support” category to “Protective Service” under federal guidelines, emphasizing the critical nature of their work.