A resolution recognizing the essential role of public safety telecommunicators in emergency response and the important work performed by public safety telecommunicators to protect the public and police, fire, and emergency medical officials during emergencies, such as the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

III 116TH CONGRESS 2D SESSION S. RES. 576 Recognizing the essential role of public safety telecommunicators in emergency response and the important work performed by public safety telecommu- nicators to protect the public and police, fire, and emergency medical officials during emergencies, such as the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID–19) pandemic. IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES MAY 13, 2020 Ms. KLOBUCHAR (for herself and Mr. BURR) submitted the following resolu- tion; which was referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs RESOLUTION Recognizing the essential role of public safety telecommunica- tors in emergency response and the important work per- formed by public safety telecommunicators to protect the public and police, fire, and emergency medical offi- cials during emergencies, such as the Coronavirus Dis- ease 2019 (COVID–19) pandemic. Whereas public safety telecommunicators play a critical role in emergency response; Whereas the work performed by public safety telecommunica- tors goes far beyond merely relaying information between the public and first responders; VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:41 May 13, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\SR576.IS SR576 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS 2 •SRES 576 IS Whereas, when responding to reports of missing, abducted, and sexually exploited children, the information obtained and actions taken by public safety telecommunicators form the foundation for an effective response; Whereas the first contact that a hostage taker or a suicidal person makes when that person calls 9–1–1 is with a public safety telecommunicator, whose negotiation skills can prevent the situation from getting worse; Whereas, during active shooter incidents, public safety tele- communicators coach callers through first aid and give advice to prevent further harm, all while collecting vital information to provide situational awareness for respond- ing officers; Whereas the work of public safety telecommunicators comes with an extreme emotional and physical impact that is compounded by long hours and the around-the-clock na- ture of the job; Whereas public safety telecommunicators should be recog- nized by all levels of government for the lifesaving and protective nature of the work that public safety tele- communicators perform; and Whereas major emergencies, such as the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID–19) pandemic, highlight the dedication of public safety telecommunicators and the important work performed by public safety telecommunicators to protect the public and police, fire, and emergency medical offi- cials: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Senate— 1 (1) honors and recognizes the important and 2 lifesaving contributions of public safety telecommu- 3 VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:41 May 13, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\SR576.IS SR576 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS 3 •SRES 576 IS nicators and other public safety communications 1 professionals across the United States; and 2 (2) encourages the people of the United States 3 to remember the value of the work performed by 4 public safety telecommunicators and other public 5 safety communications professionals. 6 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:41 May 13, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\SR576.IS SR576 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS