Meijer, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Help 9-1-1 Operators

Press Release

U.S. Representative Peter Meijer (R-MI) today joined Representatives Robin Kelly (D-IL), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), and Norma Torres (D-CA) in introducing the bipartisan Providing Resources and Occupational Training for Emotional Crisis and Trauma (PROTECT) 911 Act to address important health and wellness issues for our nation's 9-1-1 call-takers and dispatchers.

"Emergency dispatchers selflessly serve their communities and are often confronted with stressful and tragic situations where they are the first line of assistance for those in need of help," said Rep. Meijer. "Just as they work every day to keep us safe during these challenging circumstances, we need to ensure that they too are receiving the help and resources they need. I am proud to join this bipartisan effort alongside my colleagues to bring renewed focus to the mental health needs of these professionals."

The PROTECT 911 Act includes several measures to advance health and wellness for 9-1-1 professionals, including:

Establishing a system for tracking public safety telecommunicator suicides;
Developing best practices to identify, prevent, and treat posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in public safety telecommunicators;
Developing resources to help mental health professionals better treat these personnel; and
Establishing grants for health and wellness programs in emergency communications centers.

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