Johnston County Commissioners have gone on record in support of reclassifying Johnston County 911 dispatchers. Currently, all 911 dispatchers are classified as “Office and Administrative Support” employees. There is a nationwide effort to reclassify all emergency dispatchers to “Protective Service Occupations”.
In September 2021, US Representative Norman Torres and Brian Fitzpatrick introduced the 9-1-1 SAVES Act that passed in the US House, as part of the 2022 fiscal year National Defense Authorization Act. The bipartisan legislation seeks to reclassify dispatchers to recognize their work is on par with other public safety personnel classified as first responders.
Senator Richard Burr introduced the bill in the US Senate but it was never brought to a vote.
Johnston County Commissioners went on record during their March 6, 2023 meeting to support the reintroduction of federal legislation to reclassify 911 dispatchers.
Commissioner Vice Chairman Patrick Harris said, “These individuals are the unsung heroes. They go quietly every day, and answer those calls, and this is where every single emergency call in this County initiates from these people. Interesting, when the fire departments are rates by the NC Fire Insurance Rating Commission ISO, this communications center, out of 126 in North Carolina, scores a perfect score. The only one in North Carolina that scores a perfect score. Think about that for a second…”
Commissioner Ted Godwin said, “I would like to add that there are jurisdictions in this state that you hear are having all kinds of problems, not answering calls, that type of thing. That just shows how superb our group is. I commend them.”
Chairman Butch Lawter signed the Resolution supporting the reclassification efforts.
