HI SCR79

Urges all four Hawaii counties (Honolulu, Hawaii, Kauai, and Maui) to officially recognize 911 emergency services dispatchers as first responders in their respective jurisdictions.

Calls for updating job classifications of 911 emergency services dispatchers to include their duties as first responders.

Notes that dispatchers are critical infrastructure in public safety systems, often the first public safety employees to handle emergencies and provide vital pre-arrival instructions to callers.

Acknowledges that dispatchers face high-stress situations, may suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder due to exposure to traumatic calls, and must receive specialized training and certification to work in 911 centers.

References California Assembly Bill 1945 (2020), which defined public safety dispatchers and telecommunicators as first responders, and Hawaii Act 63 (2021), which found that dispatcher work is not comparable to other dispatcher positions.