SENATE RESOLUTION 42

(By Senators Lindsay, Stollings, Hamilton, and Baldwin)

[Introduced February 25, 2022]

Recognizing the 911 public safety telecommunicators as true “first responders”.

Whereas, The 911 public safety telecommunicators serve 24 hours a day, seven days a week, as do firefighters, law enforcement officers, and emergency medical service workers; and

 Whereas, The 911 public safety telecommunicators make sacrifices in their personal lives as firefighters, law enforcement officers, and emergency medical service workers by leaving their families, friends, and the safety of their surroundings to handle emergency 911 calls that save lives, protect property, and ensure the safety of our community during weather, chemical, and other emergency incidents; and

 Whereas, The 911 public safety telecommunicators heroically answer 911 emergency calls around-the-clock giving medical guidance, instructing callers on staying safe in difficult situations, and helping callers to safety during disasters all while promptly dispatching field first responders to reported emergency situations; and

 Whereas, The 911 public safety telecommunicators must handle the stress of answering over a half a million calls each year, often being the only voice on the other end of the call as citizens experience the worst day of their lives. They hear the cries of devastation, the screams for help, and are the unseen support as citizens cope with the loss of a loved one. The 911 public safety telecommunicators handle all of this at the very same time that they are keeping their fellow emergency responders safe in the field; and

 Whereas, To honor the men and women who serve in this critical position, we recognize these individuals throughout Kanawha County by proclaiming to regard them as true “first responders”; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate:

That the Senate hereby recognizes the 911 public safety telecommunicators as true “first responders”; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Clerk is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to Mr. Rick McElhany, Deputy Director of Operations, Metro 911 of Kanawha County, West Virginia.