WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate passed the Enhancing First Response Act (S. 725) , advancing legislation that would reclassify 911 dispatchers as public safety workers and strengthen the nation’s emergency communications system.

Currently, public safety telecommunicators are listed under “Office and Administrative Support” in the federal Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) system. Advocates argue this outdated designation fails to capture the critical, lifesaving role dispatchers play alongside police, fire and EMS personnel.

If enacted, the bill would direct the Office of Management and Budget to reclassify dispatchers as “Protective Service Occupations,” formally recognizing them as part of the public safety community, according to NENA .

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