Congress tries again to reclassify 911 dispatchers as first responders

NOBLESVILLE, Ind. (WISH) — A federal bill is being considered in the House to reclassify 911 dispatchers as first responders, a proposal that lawmakers have decided against in the past.

Currently, dispatchers are classified as clerks by federal labor laws. Mike Hubbs, the director of Hamilton County Public Safety Communications, said the classification creates logistical issues for 911 Centers across the country.

He supports the 911 SAVES Act, House Resolution 6319. The bill says, “Classifying public safety telecommunicators as Protective Service Occupations would correct an inaccurate representation in the Standard Occupational Classification, recognize these professionals for the lifesaving work they perform, and better align the Standard Occupational Classification with related classification systems.”

Hubbs said the bill has been before Congress multiple times over the last four to five years, but was tied to other legislation that ultimately failed.

“It needs to happen,” Hubbs said. “It needed to happen for years.”

Hubbs says that when 911 dispatchers are considered clerks they have to stick to the 40-hour workweek and have to work...