NYS Recognizes 911 Dispatchers as "First Responders," But......

[ten13]

This is covered under the NYS Public Health Law, Section 3001, which is the section which defines and covers EMS operations in NYS, and, because of that, Fire Dispatchers are apparently not included:

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/PBH/3001

But, overall, just what advantage is it being "classified" as a "First Responder"? As the article below says, it would show dispatchers "respect" and "boost morale," but little else.

But you can't eat or pay your rent with "respect" and "morale"......

N.Y. law recognizes 911 dispatchers as first responders


Cara Chapman, The Press-Republican, Plattsburgh, N.Y.


September 16, 2021·2 min read


Sep. 16—PLATTSBURGH — Up until Friday, 911 dispatchers were not officially recognized as first responders in New York State.


Ahead of the 20th anniversary of 9/11, Gov. Kathy Hochul signed three bills into law, including one that defines a "first responder in communication" as an individual who is, among other positions, a public safety or emergency services dispatcher who meets the minimum requirements established by a local government, department or agency.

"Granting these frontline heroes the designation of First Responders in Communications will demonstrate New York State's respect for these workers while serving to boost morale, open training opportunities and increase access to mental health treatment options, all of which have been proven effective in reducing attrition and turnover," the memo reads. (Yeah, right....)

Law recognizes 911 dispatchers as first responders

Sep. 16—PLATTSBURGH — Up until Friday, 911 dispatchers were not officially recognized as first responders in New York State. Ahead of the 20th anniversary of 9/11, Gov. Kathy Hochul signed three bills into law, including one that defines a "first responder in communication" as an individual who...

news.yahoo.com

Labor Press: Will they get a pay raise?


RP: This bill provides no provisions for an increase in pay. What it does do if it becomes law is open the door for consideration and negotiation for increased pay for these essential first responders. Again, the status change leads to the discussion for negotiations with the City of New York.

https://www.laborpress.org/what-first-responder-status-means-for-911-dispatchers/

 

[trentbob]

Wow that was a lot of reading. The first responder of a real emergency is... the call taker, dispatcher.

 

[paulears]

Clearly as first point if contact they are first responders, but of a different kind to those who physically turn up. Totally different jobs with different pay, responsibilities, and of course risk/danger/responsibility. worst case? Mental health issues. For the traditional first responder role, mental and physical impact.

 

[KN4EHX]

There is a serious case of neglect when it comes to recognizing the mental health issues dispatchers face. They get a live feed of whatever is happening on the other side of the line while experiencing PTSD and regular emotional roller coasters.

 

[mmckenna]

This is something that dispatchers have been requesting for a very long time. APCO put their weight behind it and has been using their lobbying power to get this to happen.

A big part of this is that it moves the dispatcher position out from under the 'clerical' position it's considered as right now by most HR departments and even the government, and to under a 'first responder' classification.

On the surface, it doesn't change pay. These sort of HR changes will always claim that it's not done to change the pay grades. But it does lay the foundation for that to happen. The first step is/was reclassifying them out of the 'clerical' job description. Now that is done (or being done), the next step will be the unions and individuals to challenge HR to address pay disparity between the clerical classification and the first responder classification.

And that takes time.

But it's a really good/necessary first step. It's been pushed for a long time. It took way too long to happen. It'll take even more time to address the pay issues.

 

[ten13]

There is a serious case of neglect when it comes to recognizing the mental health issues dispatchers face.

But should they have "mental health issues"?

Someone who takes that dispatcher's job (and, in the cases of EMTs becoming dispatchers) should know what the job involves.

We see cops and firemen having first-hand, and hands-on, experiences with the worst that can be thrown at them, but we don't see them ALL lining up for a psych evaluation after every job, nor do those who talk about those jobs focus on the "need for mental health" help all the time.

But, for some reason, someone who happens to answer a telephone and the person on the other end dies somehow, that phone answerer is supposed to be examines forthwith for psychological trauma, and then use that once-in-awhile psych trauma as the sole reason why there's a "retention problem," never once mentioning the miserable salaries and working conditions.

Let's be honest: the reason why they throw that in is to keep the subject on something OTHER than the salaries and working conditions.

In fact, even in this case of this First Responder "classification," practically the only thing they can focus on is the need for "mental health" help, but never mention what working double shifts, sometimes alone, with little sleep, and sometimes no additional pay, not to mention micro-managing by so-called "bosses," can do to ones' mental health.

All you dispatchers out there who just got off a double: don't you feel better now that you're a "First Responder"???

I bet you do......

A big part of this is that it moves the dispatcher position out from under the 'clerical' position it's considered as right now by most HR departments and even the government, and to under a 'first responder' classification.

But so what? Some of those clerks in HR are getting more money than the "First Responder" dispatchers, and when they call in sick, or take a day off, no big deal. But if a dispatcher calls in sick...even with "First Responder classification".....they get their chops broken with their boss demanding a "doctor's note," and their request for time off denied.

This whole thing is nothing more than a jer k job.

 

[mmckenna]

But so what? Some of those clerks in HR are getting more money than the "First Responder" dispatchers, and when they call in sick, or take a day off, no big deal. But if a dispatcher calls in sick...even with "First Responder classification".....they get their chops broken with their boss demanding a "doctor's note," and their request for time off denied.

Not sure what you are saying here.

After many years of working in this industry and working with a lot of dispatchers, there's no way I'd do that job. Not for any amount of money.
But those that choose that career do it because they like the challenge, they like the role they play in public safety. And most of them are very good at it. Enjoying a job doesn't mean they should get paid less than someone who doesn't enjoy their job.

Looking at the training that goes into being a dispatcher would run most people off. The background checks that are required disqualify most applicants. Those that make the cut, survive the training, and make it a career deserve better than what they get.

Changing the job classification makes it possible to make things better for them. That's a good thing.

 

[KK2DOG]

I listened to a medical call shortly after midnight lastnight that involved an 18 month old baby who had stopped breathing. It was a good 5+ minutes before EMS even started to respond and then they had the driving time to get there as well. In the meantime, the dispatcher was giving the frightened mother CPR instructions over the phone. Shortly thereafter law enforcement and the ambulance arrived and the child was breathing at that time. Great job on the part of the dispatcher.

 

[RFI-EMI-GUY]

But should they have "mental health issues"?

Someone who takes that dispatcher's job (and, in the cases of EMTs becoming dispatchers) should know what the job involves.

We see cops and firemen having first-hand, and hands-on, experiences with the worst that can be thrown at them, but we don't see them ALL lining up for a psych evaluation after every job, nor do those who talk about those jobs focus on the "need for mental health" help all the time.

But, for some reason, someone who happens to answer a telephone and the person on the other end dies somehow, that phone answerer is supposed to be examines forthwith for psychological trauma, and then use that once-in-awhile psych trauma as the sole reason why there's a "retention problem," never once mentioning the miserable salaries and working conditions.

Let's be honest: the reason why they throw that in is to keep the subject on something OTHER than the salaries and working conditions.

In fact, even in this case of this First Responder "classification," practically the only thing they can focus on is the need for "mental health" help, but never mention what working double shifts, sometimes alone, with little sleep, and sometimes no additional pay, not to mention micro-managing by so-called "bosses," can do to ones' mental health.

All you dispatchers out there who just got off a double: don't you feel better now that you're a "First Responder"???

I bet you do......



But so what? Some of those clerks in HR are getting more money than the "First Responder" dispatchers, and when they call in sick, or take a day off, no big deal. But if a dispatcher calls in sick...even with "First Responder classification".....they get their chops broken with their boss demanding a "doctor's note," and their request for time off denied.

This whole thing is nothing more than a jer k job.

Well....

I have heard my local dispatchers relaying some pretty horrible situations to the responders. They are getting 911 calls directly from families calling in some horrifically tragic events. To do this and remain calm and professional is a major task. They also get little closure as to what transpired.

 

[paulears]

First day at work as a dispatcher, a family member had a guy commit suicide on the phone as he talked to him. Despite the training, it’s a big thing to actually experience. Next call was a drunk saying the police should F off! In the UK, dispatchers are paid more than the Police. It can take two years for a Police officer to be paid more than the dispatchers

 

[KN4EHX]

But should they have "mental health issues"?

Someone who takes that dispatcher's job (and, in the cases of EMTs becoming dispatchers) should know what the job involves.

We see cops and firemen having first-hand, and hands-on, experiences with the worst that can be thrown at them, but we don't see them ALL lining up for a psych evaluation after every job, nor do those who talk about those jobs focus on the "need for mental health" help all the time.

But, for some reason, someone who happens to answer a telephone and the person on the other end dies somehow, that phone answerer is supposed to be examines forthwith for psychological trauma, and then use that once-in-awhile psych trauma as the sole reason why there's a "retention problem," never once mentioning the miserable salaries and working conditions.

Let's be honest: the reason why they throw that in is to keep the subject on something OTHER than the salaries and working conditions.

In fact, even in this case of this First Responder "classification," practically the only thing they can focus on is the need for "mental health" help, but never mention what working double shifts, sometimes alone, with little sleep, and sometimes no additional pay, not to mention micro-managing by so-called "bosses," can do to ones' mental health.

I believe your opinion is very outdated. Have you been a first responder or just a troll?
CDC says it much better than I can.

Suicides Among First Responders: A Call to Action | Blogs | CDC

CDC - Blogs - NIOSH Science Blog – Suicides Among First Responders: A Call to Action -

blogs.cdc.gov

 

[APX8000]

This will do nothing to increase morale. Pay them better, give them better benefits, opportunities to promote, or how about just plain recognization for what they do. Oh, and pay them better.

 

[Firebuff66]

But should they have "mental health issues"?

Someone who takes that dispatcher's job (and, in the cases of EMTs becoming dispatchers) should know what the job involves.

We see cops and firemen having first-hand, and hands-on, experiences with the worst that can be thrown at them, but we don't see them ALL lining up for a psych evaluation after every job, nor do those who talk about those jobs focus on the "need for mental health" help all the time.

But, for some reason, someone who happens to answer a telephone and the person on the other end dies somehow, that phone answerer is supposed to be examines forthwith for psychological trauma, and then use that once-in-awhile psych trauma as the sole reason why there's a "retention problem," never once mentioning the miserable salaries and working conditions.


All you dispatchers out there who just got off a double: don't you feel better now that you're a "First Responder"???

I bet you do......



But so what? Some of those clerks in HR are getting more money than the "First Responder" dispatchers, and when they call in sick, or take a day off, no big deal. But if a dispatcher calls in sick...even with "First Responder classification".....they get their chops broken with their boss demanding a "doctor's note," and their request for time off denied.

This whole thing is nothing more than a jer k job.

You are the poster child for having no idea what your talking about

1980 Called and wants its outdated, condescending, ignorant, unfounded comment back.

 

[APX7500X2]

You are the poster child for having no idea what your talking about

1980 Called and wants its outdated, condescending, ignorant, unfounded comment back.

LMFAO.......That was a GREAT comeback

 

[ten13]

1980 Called and wants its outdated, condescending, ignorant, unfounded comment back.

You're showing your ignorance by not bringing intelligent information to the post to make some apparent point, and only being able to bad-mouth another poster.

What you're saying is that the ONLY reason why a dispatcher...or any other title...can, and should, be acknowledged is, not because of good work in serious positions, but only because they are "victims," which, today, is a wide-spread societal problem in that anyone who succeeds in a given profession only got there on someone else's back (in this case, by not accessing "mental health" help, when "everyone else" is).

And this so-called "First Responder" classification is a perfect example of it. This will "boost morale" because dispatchers, generally, can now "brag" that they have inherent, job-related, mental health problems solely because they are a dispatcher (after all, the "government" told me so, they will say), and can no longer (rightfully) "brag" because they are in a keystone position during serious local disasters or issues.

If "mental health" as a dispatcher is really an issue with some, then there's little doubt then that they should be seeking other employment.

After all, can we have a dispatcher in the middle of a critical incident have a mental health breakdown and abandon their post, then later claiming they are "victims" and returned to full-duty? I think not.

The real issues before dispatchers...heavily documented here and other forums...are: insufficient income, horrendous working conditions (including extended working hours due to lack of manpower), lack of respect by the uniformed personnel they are dispatching (many times the chiefs of their departments themselves), inferior equipment, among other issues, NONE of which can be addressed by the politicians because they don't want to spend the money to correct them.

So they give you a piece of paper saying you're a "First Responder," as well as mandate various "training" certificates and qualifications, which is supposed to placate the vast majority of them (and probably will).

I call BS......

 

[mmckenna]

I call BS......

You are certainly welcome to call that, but it's not going to lead to the rational discussion you claim to desire.

The issues is a very complex one, and it can't be just written off as "societal". It's going to take a lot of incremental changes to fix a broken system. There is no magic wand that can be waived over this and fix it all at once.

Sounds like you just don't approve of this particular step in the process. That's OK with me. There will be more changes coming. Maybe you'll like one of those.

 

[Firebuff66]

If "mental health" as a dispatcher is really an issue with some, then there's little doubt then that they should be seeking other employment.

I call BS......

So if i go with your ignorant and down right insulting comment you would apply this to Firefighters, police, EMS, Military and any other profession that causes stress to the person doing it.

Great idea Tell our veterans that they should seek other employment because combat causes PTSD.

You have some serious issues my friend

 

[mikewazowski]

I think we’re done here.