HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 04-04-2023; 8-k - Resolution Supporting Legislation to Reclassify Telecommunicators 1
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: April 4, 2023
Action Agenda
Item No. 8-k
SUBJECT: Resolution Supporting Legislation to Reclassify Telecommunicators
DEPARTMENT: Emergency Services
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
Draft Resolution Laurie Piche, (919) 245-6157
Kirby Saunders, (919) 245-6100
PURPOSE: To consider a draft Resolution supporting the National Reclassification of 9-1-1
Telecommunicators from "Office and Administrative Support" to "Protective Service Occupations."
BACKGROUND: In September 2021, US Representatives Norma J. Torres and Brian Fitzpatrick
announced that the 9-1-1 SAVES Act had been approved by the US House of Representatives
as part of the Fiscal Year 2022 National Defense Authorization Act. The 9-1-1 SAVES Act is
bipartisan legislation to reclassify 911 dispatchers in the Office of Management and Budget's
Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) catalog from "Office and Administrative Support" to
"Protective Service Occupations", granting 911 dispatchers access to the resources, benefits, and
recognition. The legislation has been endorsed by the Association of Public Safety
Communications Officials (APCO) International, the National Emergency Number Association
(NENA), the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) and
Jessica Rosenworcel, Chair of the Federal Communications Commission.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial Impact applicable to consideration of the attached
resolution.
SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: There are no Orange County Social Justice Goals applicable to
consideration of the attached resolution.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT: There are no Orange County Environmental Responsibility Goal
impacts applicable to consideration of the attached resolution.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board approve and authorize the
Chair to sign the attached resolution.
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RES-2023-027 DRAFT
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE RECLASSIFICATION
OF 9-1-1 TELECOMMUNICATORS
WHEREAS, in September 2021, U.S. Representatives Norma J. Torres and Brian Fitzpatrick
announced that the 9-1-1 SAVES Act had been approved by the US House of Representatives as
part of the Fiscal Year 2022 National Defense Authorization Act. The 9-1-1 SAVES Act is
bipartisan legislation to reclassify 9-1-1 telecommunicators from "Office and Administrative
Support" to "Protective Service Occupations" in the Office of Management and Budget's Standard
Occupational Classification(SOC) catalog; and
WHEREAS, 9-1-1 telecommunicators are the first line of response during an emergency, and
deserve to be classified in a way that recognizes their work is on par with other public servants
classified as first responders; and
WHEREAS, former US Senator Richard Burr introduced the reclassification bill in the United
States Senate, where it remained; and
WHEREAS, 9-1-1 telecommunicators are working with elected officials to re-introduce this
legislation with the next Congress, and local support will assist this effort; and
WHEREAS,the Orange County Board of Commissioners is in support of such a legislative change;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Orange County Board of Commissioners
supports the bipartisan legislation to reclassify 9-1-1 telecommunicators from "Office and
Administrative Support" to "Protective Service Occupations" in the Office of Management and
Budget's Standard Occupational Classification(SOC) catalog.
Adopted this 4th day of April, 2023.
Jamezetta Bedford, Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners
Laura Jensen, Clerk
Board of County Commissioners