Committee advances resolution urging federal reclassification of emergency dispatchers as first responders

The House Labor and Commerce Committee voted to report HJR 38 out of committee after sponsor remarks and public testimony urging recognition of emergency response dispatchers as first responders.

Co-chair Representative Carolyn Hall described HJR 38 as an urge-to-Congress resolution that would ask Congress to reclassify emergency response dispatchers from a clerical classification to a protective/peace-officer-style classification so dispatchers could access training, federal grants and benefits similar to first responders. "The job has really evolved with increased training ... they are able to walk callers through when they're in emergency and help them as best they can by walking them through life saving instructions," Hall said.

James Bullock, an emergency dispatcher with the University of Alaska Fairbanks Police Department, testified in support. "While our boots may not be on the ground, we are very much on scene and rendering aid long before anybody else arrives," Bullock said, describing the stress and precision required in dispatch work and urging the committee to support the resolution.

Nick Davis, speaking on behalf of volunteer firefighters from his community, said dispatchers are "part of the team" and likened their role to a quarterback who initiates and coordinates the response.

After public testimony the committee co-chair moved to "report HJR 38 work order 34-LS1502 backslash a out of committee with individual recommendations and accompanying fiscal notes." With no objection, the committee approved the motion and HJR 38 passed out of committee.

The committee did not provide a recorded roll-call tally in the transcript; the motion passed by unanimous consent with no objection noted. The resolution urges Congress to consider federal reclassification but does not itself change federal law.

The committee adjourned at 03:52.