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Lorain County proclaims 911 telecommunicators "first responders," urges state reclassification
Summary
Lorain County commissioners declared 911 telecommunicators to be first responders and urged state recognition to unlock training, mental-health support and retirement protections; the proclamation was backed by dispatch leadership and unanimous board approval.
Kurt Scholl, director of Lorain County 9-1-1, told the Board of Commissioners on Jan. 16 that dispatchers routinely handle life‑threatening calls and should be reclassified from "clerical" to "first responders." "Dispatchers are the calm and trained voice that begin every emergency response," Scholl said, urging the county to support legislation in Columbus to change the state classification.
The board read and adopted a proclamation recognizing 911 telecommunicators as first responders. Commissioner Jeff Riddell read the resolution text; Commissioner David J. Moore praised dispatchers and recalled listening to a recording of a mother whose baby could not breathe, saying a skilled operator and supervisor provided life‑saving instructions over the phone. The proclamation text notes that reclassification would improve access to mental‑health resources, specialized training, retirement benefits and legal protections.
Why it matters: County leaders said formal recognition would help retention, wellness and parity with field personnel who face similar cumulative trauma. The board voted unanimously to adopt the proclamation and directed staff to support state‑level efforts to change Ohio classification and benefit access for telecommunicators.
What’s next: The resolution is largely symbolic at the county level but is intended to buttress requests to state lawmakers and agencies to change Ohio classification and funding eligibility for 911 telecommunicators. The board also authorized a county credit card for the 9-1-1 director for operational needs in a separate action.
