A Vital Link in the Chain

911 dispatchers play a crucial role in the emergency response system. From the moment a call comes in, 911 dispatchers remain poised and professional in a crisis: delivering life-saving instructions, gathering and communicating critical information to their EMS partners, orchestrating a range of emergency services. 

Unfortunately, many people don’t realize just how important a link they are in the chain of survival, with some mistakenly seeing 911 dispatchers as clerical workers. Nothing could be further from the truth. 

Representative Norma Torres (D-CA), a former 911 dispatcher for the Los Angeles Police Department and AFSCME Local 3090 member, wants to change that. She’s co-sponsored a bill that is being introduced today, 911 SAVES Act, that would give 911 dispatchers the recognition they deserve.

Lindsay Washington, an EMT with AFSCME Council 20 in Washington, D.C. is joining her union sister in support of the bill.

Learn more on Rep. Torres’ Facebook page.