Congress reintroduces 9-1-1 SAVES Act
Author

Brett Mattson

Seamus Dowdall

Naomi Freel
Upcoming Events
Related News

Key Takeaways
On January 16, the 9-1-1 Supporting Accurate Views of Emergency Services (SAVES) Act was reintroduced in the U.S. House of Representatives. This legislation aims to officially reclassify 9-1-1 dispatchers as first responders, granting these professionals the recognition they deserve for their vital contributions to public safety.
9-1-1 SAVES Act
The 9-1-1 SAVES Act seeks to correct a long-standing oversight by officially reclassifying 9-1-1 dispatchers as first responders. Currently, dispatchers are excluded from this designation despite their critical role in public safety.
At no cost to taxpayers, the legislation has broad bipartisan support to highlight the indispensable contributions of dispatchers to emergency response systems.
Importance to counties
Counties play a pivotal role in managing and funding 9-1-1 operations. By elevating dispatchers to first responder status, the 9-1-1 SAVES Act is expected to improve recruitment and retention for this profession. The legislation also reinforces the broader importance of county investments in emergency communication systems and personnel.
Building on bipartisan momentum and a track record of unanimous committee support in the 118th Congress, NACo strongly supports this legislation. The 9-1-1 SAVES Act will enhance public safety systems while ensuring no additional costs for counties or their intergovernmental partners.
County News
North Carolina county decreases 911 non-emergency calls by connecting residents to services they need
Guilford County, N.C. was inundated with 911 calls until the county connected residents to resources, including primary care physicians and access to food, so they don’t feel the need to call an emergency line.

Related News

FEMA releases nearly $1 billion in preparedness grants
On August 1, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced nearly $1 billion in new grant funding to help states, local governments, tribes and territories strengthen disaster preparedness.

HALT Fentanyl Act signed into law
On July 16, the Halt All Lethal Trafficking of Fentanyl Act (HALT Fentanyl Act) (P.L. 119-26) was signed into law, marking a major turning point in the nation’s response to the opioid epidemic. The bipartisan legislation permanently classifies fentanyl-related substances (FRS) as Schedule I drugs under the Controlled Substances Act, granting law enforcement the authority to combat the growing threat posed by synthetic opioids. The law’s enactment follows years of temporary extensions that placed these substances under federal control on a provisional basis.