HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-03-10 Proclamation - 911 Public Safety Telecommunicators Recognized as First RespondersOffice of the Mayor
City of Tukwila, Washington
PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, the federal government's Standard Occupational Classification System (SOCS)
classifies workers into occupational categories for statistical purposes, based upon the nature of
the work performed, and, in some cases, based upon the skills, education, or training needed to
perform the work; and
WHEREAS, America's 911 Public -Safety Telecommunicators (PST) are incorrectly categorized in
the SOCS as an "Office and Administrative Support Occupation", a category which includes
secretarial staff and clerical workers; and
WHEREAS, classifying PSTs as "Protective Service Occupations" alongside police, firefighters,
security guards, lifeguards, and others whose job it is to protect our communities would better
reflect the work they perform, and align the SOCS with related classification systems; and
WHEREAS, on March 7, 2019, the 911 SAVES ACT, a bipartisan bill to reclassify 911 PSTs to
"Protective Service Occupations" has stalled in the legislative process; and
WHEREAS, nine states currently consider 911 PSTs as "First -Responders", and the Washington
State 911 community is actively working to introduce similar legislation in Olympia; and
WHEREAS, the City of Tukwila is served by Valley Communications Center 911, known as Valley
Com 911, whose PSTs handle over 616,000 phone calls and over 472,000 dispatchable calls for
service a year. Valley Com 911 PSTs are highly trained professionals who work under a uniquely
stressful environment. Valley Com 911 PSTs are the first of the First Responders providing life-
saving pre -arrival instructions, triage, mediation, de-escalation and the calm presence on the
telephone and radio that is focused on both responder and public safety; and
WHEREAS, recognizing our 911 PSTs for the critical role in emergency response cannot and
should not wait for the passage of the 911 SAVES ACT and believes that these local actions will
help support and further similar legislation that 911 PSTs deserve;
NOW THEREFORE, I, Allan Ekberg, Mayor of the City of Tukwila, do hereby proclaim that the 911
Public -Safety Telecommunicators at Valley Communications Center 911 are recognized and
elevated to the status of First Responders who serve our community.
Signed this tenth day of March, 2021.
Allan Ekberg, Mayor
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