BILL NUMBER: S7121

SPONSOR: BROOKS
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act defining the term "first responder in communications"

 
PURPOSE:

This bill designates public safety dispatchers, emergency responders,
emergency operators, emergency complaint operators, and emergency
service dispatchers, as "first responders in communications."

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1. Delineates who qualifies as a "first responder in communi-
cations" and encourages employers to provide training to such employees.

Section 2. is the enacting clause.

 
JUSTIFICATION:
              

Emergency telecommunicators represent the literal front line of support
and protection for our communities and are indeed New York's first first
responders. When an emergency occurs and 911 is dialed, the caller's
first point of contact in their time of crisis is one of these emergency
telecommunicators. Not only do these heroes field tragic calls, process
pertinent information and dispatch rescue services, they often talk
callers through life saving procedures before emergency services can
arrive at the scene. When crisis turns to tragedy, however, the trauma
experienced by these frontline heroes does not subside at the end of the
call; it stays with these emergency telecommunicators for a lifetime.

With call volumes reaching all-time highs, the stress and trauma
incurred by, these frontline heroes continues to increase dramatically,
leading to rates of attrition that far exceed national employment aver-
ages. In some counties, after significant public investments are made to
hire and train these workers, attrition rates still exceed 30% due to
the stressful and traumatic nature of the job. Granting these frontline
heroes the designation of First Responders in Communications will demon-
strate New York State's respect for these workers while serving to boost
morale, open training opportunities, and increase access to mental
health treatment options, all of which have been proven effective in
reducing attrition and turnover.

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

None.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately,