Media Contact: 
Paloma Perez
Paloma.Perez@fcc.gov

For Immediate Release

CHAIRWOMAN ROSENWORCEL SUPPORTS JOB RECLASSIFICATION OF 911 PROFESSIONALS DUE TO EXPANDED RESPONSIBILITIES 
In Honor of ‘National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week’, Rosenworcel Writes to Office of Management and Budget to Draw Attention to Changing Job Expectations of 911 Telecommunicators
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WASHINGTON, April 13, 2021—Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel today in a letter offered to work with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and use the next available opportunity to review the current employment classification of 911 professionals in the Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) system.  The SOC is a federal statistical standard, maintained by OMB, used by federal agencies to classify workers into occupational categories for the purpose of collecting, calculating, or disseminating data.  Historically, 911 professionals have been classified as an “Office and Administrative Support Occupation.”  However, reflective of the technological evolution of their responsibilities and work, Rosenworcel suggests OMB explore an update to 911 professionals’ classification to group them with others who work in emergency response in the “Protective Service” category.  

“911 operators are among our most essential first responders.  Before a whistle at a fire station blows, an ambulance races, or an air horn blares, it is a 911 professional who takes in a call and sets emergency response in motion,” writes Chairwoman Rosenworcel.  “Of course, today’s 911 professionals do far more than answer 911 calls or passively receive information. They provide assistance, guidance, and life-saving advice to 911 callers, particularly in the critical minutes before emergency personnel arrive at the scene.  They also actively plan, coordinate, and direct the response activities of emergency personnel, especially when multiple agencies are involved.” 

Rosenworcel’s letter specifically draws attention to the changing role of public safety telecommunicators as 911 communications technology evolves.  As a result of this shift, the job of the public safety telecommunicator now encompasses not only call-taking and dispatch but also the integration and analysis of multiple sources of information to determine the appropriate response to any given emergency.  For instance, those who answer calls also are responsible for the intake and assessment of other information sources, including photos, videos from police and traffic cameras, and automated alarm and sensor data.  

To read Chairwoman Rosenworcel’s letter to the OMB Director, visit https://go.usa.gov/xu4Ft.

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This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action.  Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action.  See MCI v. FCC, 515 F.2d 385 (D.C. Cir. 1974).