June 25, 2019, Vienna, Va. – The Monitoring Association [TMA] has joined with APCO International, the world’s oldest and largest organization of public safety communications professionals, in calling upon security industry professionals to support the bipartisan, bicameral 9-1-1 SAVES Act, a simple zero-cost bill that would fix the federal classification by appropriately grouping Public Safety Telecommunicators with other "Protective" occupations. The federal government currently classifies 9-1-1 operator positions as administrative/clerical in nature, in the same group for secretaries, office clerks, and taxicab dispatchers, which is inaccurate and a disservice to the lifesaving work and dedication of these professionals.
Public Safety Telecommunicators should be categorized as Protective Service Occupations, which includes a broad range of "protective" occupations: lifeguards, gambling surveillance officers, fish and game wardens, parking enforcement workers, firefighters, and playground monitors, among others. Reclassification is common sense, and 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.
Those interested can support the 9-1-1 SAVES Act by sending a letter of support to those representatives who support the Act or a letter to request support.
The links below lead to a dynamic form on APCO's website where individuals can provide key contact information and the appropriate letter is sent automatically to your representatives and senators. The process takes just minutes to complete.
