We are 911 dispatcher / telecommunicators in Ohio. Day after day, we, the unseen, unheralded first link in the emergency services chain, handle life-and-death moments. Yet, our essential roles are often overlooked. 911 dispatchers are currently classified as administrative support, which not only undervalues our crucial contribution but also limits our access to vital resources such as mental health services and fair retirement benefits.

In Ohio, an estimated 5,000 dispatchers handle over 10 millions calls per year (source: Ohio Emergency Services Network). Such high-stress environments can lead to PTSD rates comparable to those of frontline emergency responders (source: Journal of Traumatic Stress). Despite this, we do not receive the same level of support in dealing with the resulting mental health issues. Additionally, due to our classification, our retirement benefits are not on par with other lifesaving professions.

The mental health of 911 dispatchers extends beyond individual well-being. It is a crisis that affects the core of public safety operations. These professionals are often the first line of communication in critical situations, where their mental acuity and emotional stability play a decisive role. This high-stress environment can take a significant toll on their mental health, leading to conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and burnout. The job requires multitasking, on-the-spot problem-solving, and remaining composed in the face of scary, dangerous, and heart-breaking situations. This allows for little downtime to decompress between calls with no process for debriefing after particularly stressful calls. This can have devastating results.

Suicide ranks high among all first responders. The statistics from 2015-2017 show that first responders made up 1% of the total suicides. While that may seem low, just one suicide is too many. Of that 1%, law enforcement officers accounted for the highest at 58%, followed by firefighters at 21%, EMS providers at 18% and public safety telecommunicators at 2%. Among first responder suicides for whom circumstances were known, intimate partner problems, job problems and physical health problems were most frequent. Some of the stress, burden of the job, and burnout can be alleviated by allowing dispatchers to be recognized as first responders.

Several states have already made this crucial change. It's time Ohio followed suit and reclassified 911 dispatchers. We are not asking for special privileges– but for recognition and access to resources commensurate with the emotional and psychological demands of our work.

Please, sign this petition and help us bring a well-deserved change in the way 911 dispatchers are classified in Ohio. Let's ensure that those who are the first to respond in a crisis receive the care they need to continue their invaluable work.