IAEP Urges Enhancing First Response Act be Signed into Law

The International Association of EMTs and Paramedics (IAEP) commends the September 10th passage of Senate Bill 725, the Enhancing First Response Act.

This bipartisan bill, co-sponsored by Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), directs the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to correctly categorize 911 communications dispatchers as a “protective service occupation” in the federal Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) system. It also ensures enhancements to the nation’s 911 system more broadly and directs the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to address potential outages from natural disasters or other causes.

By upgrading the categorization of 911 dispatchers from clerical workers to public safety workers, this bill provides a meaningful change for the entire industry of emergency dispatchers and telecommunicators.

911 dispatchers are the first point of contact for those in need during an emergency. Before any other first responders arrive on scene, the telecommunicators are handling the emergency remotely and assuring prompt response and actions are being taken to save lives and protect the public.

"911 Operators and Dispatchers deserve the same level of consideration and respect as any EMT or Paramedic," said Rose Rivera, IAEP Local R2-20 Secretary and Emergency Dispatcher. "We need each other in order to serve our communities effectively and safely." 

The decades-long OMB misclassification for this group has contributed to public misunderstandings of the duties and challenges faced by those who continually make sacrifices to serve their communities and save lives. The passage of the Enhancing First Response Act is a necessary first step to giving more access to these selfless individuals to the resources they need to succeed in their roles and to continue serving the public honorably.

The IAEP urges the U.S. House of Representatives to now pass this bill swiftly so that it can be delivered to the President and signed into law.