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Alaska committee hears testimony urging federal reclassification of 911 dispatchers as first responders
Summary
Witnesses told the House Labor and Commerce Committee that emergency dispatchers perform technically complex, trauma‑exposed work and face staffing shortages; the committee set HJR 38 over for further consideration and set an amendment deadline of March 11, 5 p.m.
Co‑chair Rep. Hall convened the House Labor and Commerce Committee on March 6 for the first hearing on HJR 38, a state resolution urging the U.S. Congress to reclassify public safety telecommunicators (emergency dispatchers) as first responders and to pass the Enhancing First Response Act (S.725). Maya Narang, staff to Rep. Paul, presented the resolution and said it would help dispatchers access training, grant opportunities, wellness resources and retirement benefits.
Supporters who testified described dispatch work as technically demanding and emotionally traumatic. "Our emergency dispatchers are the first first responders," Maya Narang told the committee, saying reclassification is a first step toward recognizing the importance of dispatchers' work. Erin Kalwarra, public safety manager at the Juneau Police Department, said,…
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