SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Emergency dispatchers would be classified as first responders under a new bill that passed the Illinois Senate this week.
Senator Neil Anderson, of Moline, says it’s a simple change, but one that recognizes the daily challenges dispatchers face on the job.
“And, I can tell you as a professional firefighter, when I first started on the job, I had to spend some time in the dispatch center, watching what dispatchers do. And, you couldn’t pay me enough money to do what they do,” Anderson said.
Anderson said besides the title change, the legislation would let dispatchers access some of the same benefits that first responders receive.
“These people are the first ones to hear what’s going on on the other end of that line. And, not only never getting credit for it, but they tend to deal with a lot of PTSD and mental health issues that a lot of people don’t think about,” Anderson said.
The bill now awaits a vote in the Illinois State House.
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