America’s 9-1-1 call-takers and dispatchers would receive health and wellness services under bipartisan legislation recently introduced by U.S. Rep. Peter Meijer (R-MI).
“Emergency dispatchers selflessly serve their communities and are often confronted with stressful and tragic situations where they are the first line of assistance for those in need of help,” said Rep. Meijer. “Just as they work every day to keep us safe during these challenging circumstances, we need to ensure that they too are receiving the help and resources they need.”
Rep. Meijer on July 1 signed on as an original cosponsor of the Providing Resources and Occupational Training for Emotional Crisis and Trauma (PROTECT) 911 Act, H.R. 4319 with bill sponsor U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (D-IL) and fellow cosponsor U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA).
“I am proud to join this bipartisan effort alongside my colleagues to bring renewed focus to the mental health needs of these professionals,” Rep. Meijer said.
If enacted, H.R. 4319 specifically would establish a system for tracking public safety telecommunicator suicides; develop best practices to identify, prevent and treat posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in public safety telecommunicators, as well as resources to help mental health professionals better treat these personnel; and establish grants for health and wellness programs in emergency communications centers, according to a bill summary provided by Rep. Meijer’s office.
H.R. 4319 has been referred to the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee for consideration.