WHEREAS, When an emergency occurs, the prompt response of public safety personnel is critical to the protection of life and preservation of property; and

WHEREAS, Thousands of dedicated public safety dispatchers serve the citizens of the State of California on a daily basis by answering emergency and nonemergency calls for assistance and coordinating public safety field units; and

WHEREAS, These career professionals answer over 27,000,000 911 calls annually; and

WHEREAS, These professionals measure their success in the lives that are saved by the 911 system each and every day; and

WHEREAS, Public safety dispatchers have contributed substantially to the apprehension of criminals, suppression of fires, and helping others during a critical time of need; and

WHEREAS, Public safety communications professionals work under challenging and stressful circumstances; and

WHEREAS, Public safety communications professionals dedicate their lives and careers to helping others; and

WHEREAS, Effective January 1, 2021, Chapter 68 of the Statutes of 2020 recognized public safety dispatchers as first responders in the State of California; and

WHEREAS, In 1991, the United States Congress designated the second week in April as National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week; and

WHEREAS, California Public Safety Telecommunicators Week will recognize all public safety dispatchers who are an integral part of Californias first responder team, who work 24 hours per day, seven days per week, and serve as the first critical contact our citizens have with emergency services; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate thereof concurring, That the Assembly advocates for an improved emergency telephone number network through research, planning, training, and education, and strives to allow citizens to have immediate access to emergency public safety services in order to protect human life and property and support civic welfare; and be it further

Resolved, That the Assembly declares the week of April 11, 2021, to April 17, 2021, inclusive, to be California Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, and honors and recognizes the importance and contributions of Californias public safety communications professionals and commends them for their continued commitment and service to the residents of California; and be it further

Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.

ACR 63: California Public Safety Telecommunicators Week.

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