The bill passed and Oklahoma 911 dispatchers are now officially recognized as first responders. This victory belongs to all 728 of you who kept the pressure on our legislators until they finally acted. Stay tuned as we monitor the implementation phase to ensure these new benefits reach every dispatch floor.
April 20, 2021
Final supporters
Oklahoma 911 dispatchers are currently classified as "secretaries". Our hope is to get legislation to pass a bill to reclassify dispatchers in our state as first responders. 911 Dispatchers are the first ones to answer the calls of citizens having emergencies, having a crisis, or are in danger for their life. They are the lifeline of information from the citizen to the police officers and other first responders that are in route to help them. There are many benefits to reclassifying dispatchers, such as: Early retirement, mental health services, increased pay, and mandatory accreditation to include standardized training. Personally, I have been sending countless letters to state representatives and legislators on behalf of my department expressing how important it is for dispatchers in Oklahoma to be reclassified. I am gathering signatures in order to keep those involved in the bill up to date on the progress and support of our endeavor to move forward in the state of Oklahoma and give 911 dispatchers the classification they deserve. Please sign and help support us on our mission!!! Thank you so much!!!
Updates
Reached 500 supporters
February 4, 2021
February 1, 2021
We hit 100 signatures today. Pick three people from your contacts and text them the link to this petition right now.
Reached 100 supporters
January 30, 2021
January 27, 2021
We are approaching one hundred signatures and need to push harder to get there today. Post the link to your Facebook page right now so we can hit this milestone before the upcoming legislative session.
131 Comments
I support y’all 100%. Some of things you hear can really take a toll on your mental health. You help calm those who call you and in many cases it’s the most traumatic situation of their life. I hope for the best.
Come on Oklahoma, if California can do it so can Oklahoma. I've been 911 dispatcher for 30 years and the reclassification genuinely meant something to me, it was much better than receiving a plaque and handshake.
Has a secretary ever had to answer the phone while having another phone to the other ear dealing with a head on collision? All the while having another line ringing with someone has just found their husband hanging from a rope? No. Dispatchers are not secretaries.
I worked 15 years or more in this field. Its beyond time to bring these employees up to a decent pay grade. Long hours, no days off, my longest was 8 months of 12 hour days & nights. Trained many who in turn would quit. its a very thankless position to hold.
I was a dispatcher for a short time in Oklahoma. Part of my job was to hand out meds to prisoners, answer 911 calls, and unfortunately get cursed out for trying to help prisoners with glasses, and daily living issues, set up prisoner/family visits. That is not a secretary. Please think about the issues.
I have a connection at the state Capitol who might sponsor a bill or add this change to a bill they are working on for other medical related issues. Email me and write “CHANGE OK DISPATCH LAW” in the subject.
Not from OK but my spouse is a dispatcher in FL has been for years I think not considering them 1st responders is an insult to their profession.
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The bill passed and Oklahoma 911 dispatchers are now officially recognized as first responders. This victory belongs to all 728 of you who kept the pressure on our legislators until they finally acted. Stay tuned as we monitor the implementation phase to ensure these new benefits reach every dispatch floor.
April 20, 2021
Final supporters
Oklahoma 911 dispatchers are currently classified as "secretaries". Our hope is to get legislation to pass a bill to reclassify dispatchers in our state as first responders. 911 Dispatchers are the first ones to answer the calls of citizens having emergencies, having a crisis, or are in danger for their life. They are the lifeline of information from the citizen to the police officers and other first responders that are in route to help them. There are many benefits to reclassifying dispatchers, such as: Early retirement, mental health services, increased pay, and mandatory accreditation to include standardized training. Personally, I have been sending countless letters to state representatives and legislators on behalf of my department expressing how important it is for dispatchers in Oklahoma to be reclassified. I am gathering signatures in order to keep those involved in the bill up to date on the progress and support of our endeavor to move forward in the state of Oklahoma and give 911 dispatchers the classification they deserve. Please sign and help support us on our mission!!! Thank you so much!!!
Updates
Reached 500 supporters
February 4, 2021
February 1, 2021
We hit 100 signatures today. Pick three people from your contacts and text them the link to this petition right now.
Reached 100 supporters
January 30, 2021
January 27, 2021
We are approaching one hundred signatures and need to push harder to get there today. Post the link to your Facebook page right now so we can hit this milestone before the upcoming legislative session.
131 Comments
Serving in Federal law enforcement for 32 years, I definitely see how being a 911 operator is extremely stressful at times and definitely doesn’t categorize as a secretary. Please reclassify them appropriately.
I support y’all 100%. Some of things you hear can really take a toll on your mental health. You help calm those who call you and in many cases it’s the most traumatic situation of their life. I hope for the best.
Come on Oklahoma, if California can do it so can Oklahoma. I've been 911 dispatcher for 30 years and the reclassification genuinely meant something to me, it was much better than receiving a plaque and handshake.
Has a secretary ever had to answer the phone while having another phone to the other ear dealing with a head on collision? All the while having another line ringing with someone has just found their husband hanging from a rope? No. Dispatchers are not secretaries.
I worked 15 years or more in this field. Its beyond time to bring these employees up to a decent pay grade. Long hours, no days off, my longest was 8 months of 12 hour days & nights. Trained many who in turn would quit. its a very thankless position to hold.
I was a dispatcher for a short time in Oklahoma. Part of my job was to hand out meds to prisoners, answer 911 calls, and unfortunately get cursed out for trying to help prisoners with glasses, and daily living issues, set up prisoner/family visits. That is not a secretary. Please think about the issues.
I have a connection at the state Capitol who might sponsor a bill or add this change to a bill they are working on for other medical related issues. Email me and write “CHANGE OK DISPATCH LAW” in the subject.
Not from OK but my spouse is a dispatcher in FL has been for years I think not considering them 1st responders is an insult to their profession.
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Serving in Federal law enforcement for 32 years, I definitely see how being a 911 operator is extremely stressful at times and definitely doesn’t categorize as a secretary. Please reclassify them appropriately.