New York Gov. Hochul has chosen the 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks to sign a bill that officially extends “first responder” designation to all 911 operators and dispatchers across the state, the Daily News has learned.
There are thousands of 911 dispatchers and operators spread throughout the state, but unlike firefighters, police officers and medics, they have never had the official first responder classification.
Their unions have lobbied for years for the designation, which would give the workers better access to federal grants and other financial support to improve training, equipment, morale and retention… READ MORE
