Bill seeks 9-1-1 dispatcher reclassification

Reps. Norma J. Torres (D-CA) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) recently introduced a bill reclassifying 9-1-1 dispatchers in the Office of Management and Budget Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) catalog to ensure classification standards place public safety first.

The 911 Supporting Accurate Views of Emergency Services (SAVES) Act reclassifies 9-1-1 call-takers and dispatchers from Office and Administrative Support Occupations to Protective Service Occupations, giving 9-1-1 dispatchers the recognition they deserve for the work they do every day to protect and save the lives of the public and first responders.

The legislation would direct the Office of Management and Budget to update their classification for public safety telecommunicators as a protective service within the SOC catalog. The inclusion of public safety telecommunicators in the protective service group would make the SOC a more accurate and useful resource, and would better align the SOC with related classification systems.

“After more than 17 years as a 9-1-1 dispatcher, I know firsthand the challenges our public safety dispatchers face, the stress they are put under, and the critical importance of their work,” Torres, the only former 9-1-1 dispatcher serving in Congress, said. “Without dispatchers, law enforcement, firefighters and EMTs wouldn’t be able to do their jobs. The 911 SAVES Act recognizes the significance of these roles and ensures all classification standards put public safety first.”

Fitzpatrick said the work done by 9-1-1 operators and dispatchers is critical for community safety.

“When we are in danger, we call 9-1-1 and rely on those on the other end of the line to make sure we get the help we need,” a former Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Special Agent and federal prosecutor, said. “This legislation will give our 9-1-1 operators and dispatchers the resources, benefits, and recognition they deserve.”