911 dispatchers in Pennsylvania win long-overdue recognition, thanks to AFSCME members

After years of advocating for the recognition and support they deserve, AFSCME public safety telecommunicators in Pennsylvania are celebrating a major victory. 

The Pennsylvania General Assembly passed House Bill 453 to officially recognize public safety telecommunicators as emergency responders and expand access to the state’s Emergency Responder Mental Wellness and Stress Management program. 

Gov. Josh Shapiro signed it into law on Oct. 22, a huge moment for the hardworking 911 telecommunicators who play a critical role in times of crisis and deserve the recognition and support they need to serve their communities. 

For 911 dispatchers like Local 1485 (Council 13) member Barbara Bowles of York County, this victory is personal.  

“As 911 dispatchers, we’re often the first to hear someone’s worst moment, and those calls stay with us. After York County lost four officers in the line of duty in 2025, the emotional toll of this work became especially personal for our community,” Bowles said. “Recognizing public safety telecommunicators as emergency responders and expanding access to mental wellness resources is an important step toward ensuring the people who help others through tragedy get the support they need, too.” 

Members of Council 13 and District Council 33 worked hard to pass the measure. 

On Instagram, DC33 wrote that 911 dispatchers who are part of Local 1637 “played an instrumental role in advocating for this long-overdue recognition. DC33 members raised their voices, shared their experiences publicly and called on Pennsylvania lawmakers to recognize the essential role dispatchers perform in our public safety system.” 

This advocacy underscored to Pennsylvania lawmakers that “the professionals who answer our emergency calls deserve the same recognition, resources and protections afforded to other emergency responders,” DC33 wrote.

This achievement demonstrates what is possible when workers speak up, organize, and advocate for the recognition and protections they deserve. AFSCME members helped push this issue forward, ensuring that the essential work of 911 dispatchers is recognized in Pennsylvania law.

AFSCME will continue advocating for equitable protections for the families of fallen law enforcement officers, and for meaningful safeguards for all public employees who work in hazardous conditions. Around the country, 911 telecommunicators and dispatchers are forming unions through AFSCME and fighting for the same treatment and government support as other public safety professionals.