LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18)– This week, dispatchers everywhere are being recognized for being the comforting voice to so many people in times of crisis.
Law enforcement agencies in the commonwealth and across the country are taking time during National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week to not only thank dispatchers, but to push to have them reclassified.
Dispatchers always answer the call in an emergency, and are technically the first to respond, but they aren’t considered first responders.
It’s something one dispatcher at Metrosafe in Louisville says needs to change.
“Now I think we should be classified as a first responder because we have a high level of stress, ” said Ruth Williams.
But a new bill filed by a US Representative from California may soon make that happen.
The bill, filed last week, is called the 911 Saves Act and it would reclassify dispatchers as first responders, instead of clerical employees.
On Wednesday, the Lexington Police Department shared their thoughts on Facebook:
Kentucky State Police is also taking this week to honor the nearly 200 dispatchers they have across the commonwealth.
“Most days its difficult, but what keeps me coming back everyday is knowing that in some small way I’ve made a difference to at least one person in the time I’ve been doing this.”
