RSSThe Senate is vote on the 2022 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that would include a provision reclassifying 9-1-1 telecommunicators as a protective service occupation this week.
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For several years, industry organizations such as the National Emergency Number Association (NENA) and the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials International (APCO) have been pushing the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to reclassify 9-1-1 telecommunicators from administrative staff to protective services. The groups have argued that 9-1-1 telecommunicators play an important role in public safety operations and should be recognized for that role on the same level as other first responders and public-safety personnel.
Several years ago, the OMB declined to reclassify 9-1-1 telecommunicators as protective services. Since then, organizations such as NENA and APCO have been pushing legislators to make the change.
The 2022 NDAA contains a short section that would require the OMB to reclassify 9-1-1 telecommunicators in its Standard Occupational Classification System within 30 days of the passage of the law.
The bill has been approved by the House of Representatives and is waiting on approval by the Senate. The Senate is expected to vote on it this week.
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