I am a 911 Dispatcher. I spend countless hours away from my family, serving the public. Family events, weekends, and holidays pass by without me. My mental health is impacted by the work I do. Yet, despite these sacrifices and the critical role we play in emergency response, 911 Dispatchers are not recognized as first responders in Ohio.

This is more than just a title—it's about acknowledging our crucial role in saving lives every day. When an emergency call comes through, we are often the first point of contact for individuals facing life-threatening situations. We provide immediate assistance over the phone while coordinating with police officers, firefighters and paramedics to ensure they arrive on scene fully informed and prepared.

Yet despite this pivotal role we play during emergencies—despite being that calming voice on the other end of a frantic call—we are classified as clerical workers rather than first responders (source: National Emergency Number Association). This classification fails to acknowledge our training or the psychological toll that comes with handling crisis situations daily.

It's time for change. It's time for Ohio to follow states like Texas and California who have already reclassified their dispatchers as first responders (source: APCO International). By doing so, it will ensure that we receive appropriate recognition for our work along with access to benefits such as mental health resources which are much needed given our line of work.

Join us in urging lawmakers in Ohio to recognize 911 Dispatchers as First Responders – because when seconds count, so do we! Please sign this petition today!