NAGE Celebrates National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, Fights for First Responder Designation
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Happy National Public Safety Telecommunicator’s Week! This week, NAGE has been busy honoring and supporting the professionals who help keep our communities safe, healthy and well-connected.
Members of NAGE Local R3-07, which represents public safety communication operators in DC, joined SEIU Local 888 in DC to rally in support of the 911 SAVES Act, a bill that would federally reclassify public safety telecommunicators as first responders.
It was a successful day, with the unique perspectives of our members helping to add to the conversation and provide valuable insight on telecommunicators’ critical roles in emergency response.
“911 telecommunicators are the first to answer the call during our times of need,” said International Association of EMTs and Paramedics (IAEP) National Director Philip Petit. “Our entire emergency system counts on them to help direct safe and timely response and to be a voice of calm before professionals arrive on scene. This reclassification would be crucial to securing them the increased mental health support and specialized training they deserve.”
Additionally, NAGE representatives treated the dispatch team of the IAEP Local R56-23, which provides ground and air emergency medical response across Hawaii, to a spread of pizza, snacks and soda to thank them for all their hard work and help celebrate the week.
“This week is about recognizing the dedication and hard work of our dispatchers and flight coordinators,” said IAEP National Representative Shelly Hudelson. “They go above and beyond for their fellow EMS professionals every day. The least we could do was show them how awesome and appreciated they are.”
We applaud the hard work and invaluable services of public safety telecommunicators today and every day, and we stand in solidarity with their fight to get the first responder recognition they deserve.
