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KS dispatchers included as “emergency responders”

By Greg Bebermeyer

03/25/2021

(KNZA)--Dispatchers in Kansas are often the first point of contact for people reporting emergencies.

On Wednesday, they officially became classified as “emergency responders” under Senate Bill 40, which was signed into law by Gov. Laura Kelly.

The bill, which reforms the Kansas Emergency Management Act, was passed March 16 in a bipartisan vote of 31-8.

Brown County Sheriff John Merchant said the inclusion of dispatchers being classified as “emergency responders” was “great news” and was the culmination of “many years” of efforts.

Merchant noted that dispatchers “receive calls reporting everything from littering to homicides.” Unlike other emergency responders, however, the dispatchers remain at their stations.

Merchant said the bill not only recognizes dispatchers for their “incredible efforts in keeping our communities safe, but also opens doors for them to obtain services needed to better perform their duties.”

Merchant added that he was “very appreciative that dispatchers are being recognized for the truly remarkable jobs that they do.”

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