Washington, DC— In honor of National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-1) and Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) have introduced a bipartisan, bicameral resolution recognizing the indispensable role public safety telecommunicators play in emergency response and community safety. Celebrated annually during the second full week of April, the week pays tribute to 9-1-1 dispatchers whose voices serve as the first link in the chain of emergency response.
“When every second counts, it’s the voice of a public safety telecommunicator that begins the chain of survival. These professionals are more than a calm presence—they are highly trained experts who manage emergencies with speed, clarity, and composure under immense pressure. Having served as an FBI Special Agent, I know their decisions can mean the difference between life and death. Our resolution is about more than recognition—it’s a call to action. We must ensure these frontline heroes are properly classified, fully supported, and honored for the indispensable role they have in protecting our communities,” said Rep. Fitzpatrick.
"For 17 years, I was the voice on the other end of a 9-1-1 call—listening to people in their darkest moments, calming terrified parents, and guiding callers through life-or-death situations. Dispatchers are more than operators; they are lifelines, holding steady when everything else feels out of control,” said Congresswoman Torres. “Yet, their work too often goes unseen. This resolution honors their service, but they deserve more than recognition—they deserve action. Passing my bipartisan 911 SAVES Act will ensure they are classified for what they truly are: lifesaving professionals. Public safety telecommunicators give so much of themselves to protect others, and I urge my colleagues to stand with them and fight for the status and support they deserve."
The Senate companion resolution is being led by Senators Ted Budd (R-NC) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), demonstrating strong bipartisan support in both chambers of Congress. The resolution calls on lawmakers to formally acknowledge the critical contributions of public safety telecommunicators and ensure they are equipped and empowered to continue their lifesaving work.
The full text of the resolution can be found here.
Background:
Representatives Fitzpatrick and Torres have long championed efforts to elevate and support public safety professionals. Their bipartisan 911 SAVES Act seeks to reclassify 9-1-1 dispatchers from “Office and Administrative Support” to the “Protective Service” occupation category under federal guidelines—recognizing the reality of their high-stakes, lifesaving responsibilities.
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