Dispatchers are the first point of contact in emergency situations. They answer 911 calls, gather critical information, and dispatch first responders to the scene. However, despite their crucial role in emergency response, dispatchers are not recognized as first responders.

California Assembly Bill 1945, signed on 9/11/2020, reclassified dispatchers in California as First Responders. This bill went into effect on January 1, 2021. California was the fifth state to reclassify its Dispatchers.

Many states are following this. However, Ohio has not yet adopted this law and dispatchers are considered clerical. At least 25 states have enacted laws or adopted official resolutions to reclassify 911 dispatchers as first responders or emergency public safety professionals.

The National Emergency Number Association (NENA) and the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) track these shifting state laws.

States with Approved Reclassifications

• Alabama: Officially passed legislation recognizing dispatchers as first responders.
• Arizona: Reclassified telecommunicators to unlock public safety benefits.
• California: Enacted laws recognizing dispatchers as part of the protective services framework.
• Colorado: Formally shifted dispatchers into public safety job classifications.
• Idaho: Included emergency communications officers in first responder definitions.
• Illinois: Enacted reclassification laws to expand dispatcher recognition.
• Indiana: Formally designated public safety telecommunicators as first responders.
• Kansas: Amended state law to include dispatchers as emergency responders.
• Louisiana: Passed legislation giving dispatchers formal first responder status.
• Maryland: Designated operators as "9-1-1 specialists" to provide property tax credits and state benefits.
• New Hampshire: Formally enacted first responder classification for telecommunicators.
• Oklahoma: Shifted dispatchers out of clerical roles under state definitions.
• Pennsylvania: Passed bipartisan legislation formally adding dispatchers to emergency responder definitions.
• Washington: Reclassified operators to establish statewide training, certification, and improved benefits.

Partial or Benefit-Specific Recognition

• Minnesota: Extends first responder workers' compensation benefits for PTSD without a full job title reclassification.
• Nevada: Grants first responder mental health and workers' compensation coverage to dispatchers

Assignment:

Pick a State that hasn't passed this law yet and research what is being done or needs to be done for this law to pass in that particular state. Make sure to let me know what state you chose. Use the comment box to explain your research.