NENA: The 9-1-1 Association commends today’s reintroduction of the
Enhancing First Response Act (
S.725), bipartisan legislation that would direct the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to reclassify Public Safety Telecommunicators as a “Protective Service Occupation” in the federal Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) system.
Currently, 9-1-1 professionals are misclassified as “Office and Administrative Support,” a designation that fails to reflect the highly specialized, lifesaving work they perform daily. This no-cost legislation would correct this outdated classification, ensuring that 9-1-1 professionals receive the respect and recognition they deserve.
The
Enhancing First Response Act, introduced by U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), enjoys strong bipartisan support. It is co-sponsored by Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Ed Markey (D-MA), Ted Budd (R-NC), Angus King (I-ME), John Thune (R-SD), and Mark Kelly (D-AZ). A similar measure, the
Supporting Accurate Views of Emergency Services Act (
911 SAVES Act, H.R. 540), was reintroduced in the House last month by Representatives Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and Norma Torres (D-CA).
With endorsement from the 9-1-1 community and other public safety organizations, as well as strong bipartisan support from lawmakers, the
Enhancing First Response Act is a commonsense measure that would bring the federal classification scheme in line with reality. NENA urges swift passage of this critical legislation.
“Recognizing the essential, lifesaving work of 9-1-1 professionals is long overdue,” said NENA CEO Brian Fontes. “Since the first 9-1-1 call was placed on February 16, 1968, the job of 9-1-1 telecommunicators has become increasingly technical, specialized, and important to the immediate health, safety, and security of our communities. They are the ‘first’ first responders, and they deserve to be classified in the same category as their law enforcement, fire, and emergency medical partners. We deeply appreciate Senators Blackburn and Klobuchar for their steadfast, bipartisan commitment to 9-1-1 and public safety.”
Public Safety Telecommunicators serve as the lifeline between members of the public and emergency responders, providing life-saving medical guidance, coordinating multi-agency responses, and ensuring the safety of both callers and field responders. Their reclassification as a Protective Service Occupation would accurately reflect their critical role in emergency response. It also would enhance workforce planning by improving data collection and analysis to address chronic staffing shortages nationwide. Proper classification would also ensure better access to mental health and wellness programs, acknowledging the unique stressors 9-1-1 professionals face daily. More information on the 9-1-1 workforce challenge can be found in the NENA-Carbyne Pulse of 9-1-1
State of the Industry Survey from 2024.
The senators’ action coincides with NENA’s largest-ever
9-1-1 Goes to Washington advocacy week (February 23-26, 2025). This annual event brings together hundreds of 9-1-1 professionals from across the nation with federal policymakers to address the most pressing issues in emergency communications, including reclassification.
About NENA: The 9-1-1 Association
The National Emergency Number Association (NENA) improves 9-1-1 through research, standards development, training, education, outreach, and advocacy. Our vision is a public made safer and more secure through universally available, state-of-the-art 9-1-1 systems and better-trained 9-1-1 professionals. Learn more at nena.org.
