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By Karen Lopez publisher@sealynews.com
It’s about time!
Gov. Greg Abbott recently signed House Bill 1090 that states dispatchers are now considered first responders.
What does it mean to the many who are behind the scenes? In short, it means that they will be able to apply for and receive the same benefits as police officers, firefighters and emergency medical technicians (EMT). Some may think this is not fair. What do dispatcher do anyway? They sit in an air-conditioned room, answer phones and talk on the radio; they don’t even get their hands dirty.
Before my newspaper career, I was a dispatcher for many years. Not only was it my past, but it was also my passion. I loved it. I walked away every day knowing that I had helped someone that day. How many people can say that? First responders – our everyday heroes!
We understand the jobs of police officers, firefighters and EMT’s but what do you know about dispatchers? Let me enlighten you some.
