The 911 industry has made significant strides over the past 20 years. In 2004, Congress created the National 911 Program. Their objective is "to work with States, technology providers, public safety officials and 911 professionals to ensure a smooth transition to an updated 911 system that takes advantage of new communications technologies. It also creates and shares a variety of resources and tools to help 911 systems".
Telecommunicator Reclassification
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) currently classifies Public Safety Telecommunicators in the administrative/clerical category. The 911 Saves Act would ensure that Public Safety Telecommunicators are categorized as “Protective Service Occupations,” which includes a broad range of “protective” occupations: lifeguards, fish and game wardens, parking enforcement workers, firefighters, and even playground monitors, among others. Reclassification is about getting Public Safety Telecommunicators the recognition they deserve for the work they do every day to protect and save the lives of the public and first responders.