HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020 First Responder Proclamation ��F pCIN7'�'4r
PROCLAMATION
In Recognition of
Pencom 9-1-1 Emergency Telecommunicators
WHEREAS,the federal government's Standard Occupational Classification System(SOCS)classifies workers
into occupational categories for statistical purposes,based upon the nature of the work performed, and, in some
cases,based upon the skills, education, or training needed to perform the work; and
WHEREAS, America's 9-1-1 telecommunicators are currently incorrectly categorized in the SOCS as an
"Office and Administrative Support Occupation" category which includes secretaries and office clerks; and
WHEREAS, classifying 9-1-1 telecommunicators as an "Office and Administrative Support Classification"
fails to recognize their central role in public safety and homeland security, their specialized training and skills,
and their uniquely stressful work environment; and
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WHEREAS,classifying public safety telecommunicators as"Protective Service Occupations"alongside police,
firefighters,security guards,lifeguards,and others whose job it is to protect our communities would better reflect
the work they perform, and align the SOCS with related classification systems; and
WHEREAS,on March 71",2019,the 911 SAVES ACT, a bipartisan bill to reclassify 9-1-1 telecommunications
officers to"Protective Service Occupations"has stalled in the legislative process; and
WHEREAS, eight states currently consider 9-1-1 telecommunicators as "First-Responders", and the
Washington State 9-1-1 community is working to introduce similar legislation in Olympia; and
WHEREAS, The City of Port Angeles hosts the Clallam County 9-1-1 PSAP, known as Pencom 9-1-1.
Communications Officers handle over 145,000 phone calls and over 110,000 dispatchable calls for service a
year. Pencom Communications Officers are highly trained professionals that work under a uniquely stressful
environment all while being significantly understaffed over the past two years. Our Communications Officers
are the First, First-Responders and provide life-saving pre-arrival instructions, triage, mediation, de-escalation,
negotiations and the calm presence on the radio that is focused on both responder and public safety; and
WHEREAS, recognizing our 9-1-1 telecommunicators for the critical role in emergency response and that the
City of Port Angeles cannot wait for the passage of the 9-1-1 SAVES ACT and believes that these local actions
will help support similar legislation that 9-1-1 telecommunicators deserve;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Kate Dexter, Mayor, ON BEHALF OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF PORT
ANGELES, do hereby proclaim that the 9-1-1 emergency telecommunicators at Pencom 9-1-1 are now
recognized and elevated to the status of First Responders who serve our community.
" ?r November 17,2020
Kate Dexter, Mayor