This bill identifies 911 telecommunicators (dispatchers) as first responders. Adding 911 telecommunicators to the established state-recognized category of first responders opens the door to current and future medical care and benefits provided to the public safety heroes that serve and protect our community every day.
House Bill 634 and House Bill 653
Both bills are focused on implementing panic alarms in schools that would be triggered for high-risk incidents. HB 634 encourages school leadership to consider implementation, and HB 653 develops more a requirement concept for the alarm systems. There is an impact to emergency communications center operations under both concepts.
This bill seeks to provide access to mental health services to 911 telecommunicators employed in Pennsylvania. Members of the 911 community would be able to engage a licensed mental health care provider and be given the support they need for a recognized post-traumatic stress injury (PTSI) at no cost to the telecommunicator.
This bill would require schools to provide building blueprints to local and state law enforcement to be used to improve the safety and awareness of the public safety professionals responding to a high-risk event such as an active shooter.
House Resolution 637, the 911 SAVES Act of 2025, would require the Office of Management and Budget to make revisions to the federal Standard Occupational Classification System that would categorize 911 telecommunicators under Protective Services with other public safety professionals such as law enforcement officers, EMS personnel, and firefighters. This is the national version of Pennsylvania House Bill 453.
