Today, U.S. Representatives Robin Kelly (D-IL), Norma Torres (D-CA), and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), along with several of their colleagues, reintroduced the Providing Resources and Occupational Training for Emotional Crisis and Trauma in 9-1-1 Act, or the ‘‘PROTECT 9-1-1 Act.” This bipartisan legislation would take several steps to advance health and wellness for public safety telecommunicators, including: establishing grants for health and wellness programs in emergency communications centers; developing best practices to identify, prevent, and treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in public safety telecommunicators; and developing resources to help mental health professionals better treat these personnel.
9-1-1 professionals endure substantial trauma in the course of their work to protect and save lives every day. Research has shown that 9-1-1 professionals suffer elevated rates of anxiety, PTSD, depression, and suicidal thinking. The legislation introduced today includes several measures that will support these professionals. APCO was honored to work closely with Congresswoman Kelly’s office to craft this legislation for the benefit of APCO’s members and the full community of 100,000 public safety telecommunicators in the United States.
“Public safety telecommunicators face substantial health and wellness challenges as part of their work,” APCO President Angela Batey said. “The thoughtful provisions included in this bill will provide much-needed assistance for these heroes. APCO thanks Representatives Kelly, Torres, and Fitzpatrick for their leadership on this issue and looks forward to growing bipartisan support to see this bill become law.”
APCO International® (www.apcointl.org)
APCO International is the world’s oldest and largest organization of public safety communications professionals and supports the largest U.S. membership base of any public safety association. It serves the needs of public safety communications practitioners worldwide – and the welfare of the general public as a whole – by providing complete expertise, professional development, technical assistance, advocacy and outreach.
