Apr. 12, 2022
HARRISBURG – This is National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, and no one knows more about the critical role played by emergency dispatchers than state Rep. Jim Rigby (R-Johnstown).
“I’ve answered plenty of dispatched calls and have been able to see situations firsthand as a former fireman and police officer,” Rigby said. “In many cases, the individual who fields the initial 911 call must - as quickly as possible - remain calm while simultaneously trying to deescalate the caller and obtain critical details in order to assess the case and determine the appropriate responder to contact. That is a skill set relatively few people possess, which is what makes our dispatchers such special people.”
Last term, Rigby supported
Act 69 of 2020 which established a mental wellness and stress management protocol to protect emergency responders. Rigby is going a step further by introducing legislation which further recognizes the critical nature of emergency response.
“Right now, Pennsylvania’s emergency responders are eligible for a benefit of more than $158,000 for deaths related to the performance of their duties,” added Rigby. “My
House Bill 2262 would expand the Emergency and Law Enforcement Death Benefits Act to include telecommunicators. The legislation recognizes the pressure under which they operate and the toll it can take on them.”
Questions about this or any state government issue may be directed to Rigby’s district office at 1-814-536-9818.
Representative Jim Rigby
71st Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Scott B. Little
717.260.6137 (office), 717.497.5967 (cell)
Slittle@pahousegop.com
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