Bipartisan legislation was introduced in the House today to advance the health and wellness of 911 call-takers.  Reps. Robin Kelly (D., Ill.), Norma Torres (D., Calif.), Brian Fitzpatrick (R., Pa.), and Peter Meijer (R., Mich.) introduced the Providing Resources and Occupational Training for Emotional Crisis and Trauma (PROTECT) 911 Act.

A new release said the bill would (1) establish "a system for tracking public safety telecommunicator suicides;" (2) develop "best practices to identify, prevent, and treat posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in public safety telecommunicators;" (3) develop "resources to help mental health professionals better treat these personnel;" and (4) establish "grants for health and wellness programs in emergency communications centers."

"Our nation's 9-1-1 call takers and emergency dispatchers take calls from people experiencing some of the most distressing and desperate moments of their lives," said Rep. Kelly.  "They hear terrible, tragic, and violent crimes, all while trying to determine how best to help in the situation and communicate vital information to the person on the other end of the line.  Too often, the mental health and well-being of our 9-1-1 operators and dispatchers is treated as an afterthought, if addressed at all.  We need to ensure that the folks taking our most urgent calls are able to take care of themselves."

"The PROTECT 911 Act is a crucial step toward addressing the reality that those who work in 9-1-1 unfortunately know all too well:  that life under the headset can take a great emotional and psychological toll," said NENA Chief Executive Officer Brian Fontes.

"Public safety telecommunicators in Illinois and throughout the country have an extremely stressful job answering nearly a quarter billion 9-1-1 calls each year and handling emergency communications," said Jason Kern, executive director of Southeast Emergency Communications in Crystal Lake, Ill., and incoming president of the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials-International.  "This legislation is critical to address the mental fatigue many public safety telecommunicators face from dealing with tragedies daily.  Identifying coping mechanisms can improve our quality of life and our careers, and help us to better protect the public and responders."  – Paul Kirby, paul.kirby@wolterskluwer.com