The Kauaʻi County Council on Wednesday approved a resolution recognizing emergency services dispatchers as first responders and is urging state and local officials across Hawaiʻi to extend the same designation statewide.
The measure, introduced by Councilmember Felicia Cowden, acknowledges the critical role dispatchers play as the first point of contact during emergencies, often providing lifesaving assistance before the arrival of police officers, firefighters or emergency medical personnel.
Resolution 2026-20 states that emergency services dispatchers assess emergencies, coordinate responses and provide callers with instructions on CPR, choking intervention, bleeding control, and other emergency medical procedures.
It also highlights dispatchers’ role in relaying critical information to first responders and managing calls involving violence, trauma, medical emergencies and natural disasters. The resolution is also supported by the Kauaʻi fire and police departments.
Congress has repeatedly introduced the bipartisan 911 Saves Act, which aims to reclassify public safety telecommunicators from an administrative role to a protective service occupation, acknowledging their vital life-saving duties.
This legislation has gained broad bipartisan support from organizations such as the National Emergency Number Association, the National Association of Counties, the International Association of Firefighters, and many law enforcement agencies across the country.
Currently, 25 states have passed legislation or adopted laws acknowledging the role of emergency services dispatchers as first responders, with their duties extending well beyond traditional administrative tasks, thereby granting them access to benefits, protections, and resources associated with those classifications, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
Assistant Chief of Police Kalani Ke read testimony on behalf of Kauaʻi Police Department Chief Rudy Tai that supported the resolution.
And Kauaʻi Fire Department Chief Michael Gibson told the council that dispatchers are “exposed over and over to traumatic incidents,” unlike firefighters, paramedics, EMTs, police officers and lifeguards who tend to get breaks after calls, with time to recover mentally and talk with peers.
“Dispatchers go from call to call to call to call, emergency to emergency,” Gibson said in support.
Stacey Perriera, captain of Support Services Section and formerly the supervisor in dispatch, said every day on Kauaʻi, residents and visitors depend on emergency services dispatchers.
In 2025, the Kauaʻi all-female dispatcher team answered approximately 60,000 calls for service.
“Whether the emergency is a heart attack in Hanalei, a structure fire in Waimea, a visitor lost on the Kalalau Trail, or a domestic violence incident in Līhuʻe, every emergency response begins not with the arrival of police officers, firefighters or paramedics, but with the calm voice of an emergency services dispatcher, and today’s resolution recognizes that reality,” Perriera said.
“Their ability to gather accurate information, remain calm under pressure, and coordinate complex incidents makes them an indispensable component of our public safety system.”
Christina Tim, with nearly 20 years of experience as a dispatcher on the Garden Island, was recently promoted to public safety communications manager. She says she has helped through various emotional emergency calls and appreciates the recognition.
“I have helped someone through childbirth,” she said. “I have helped a daughter perform CPR on her mom. It was the mom’s birthday, so helping her go through that, the emotions of that, and also helping family members who were involved in accidents. I’ve taken those calls, too.”
Although the resolution does not change state law, it formally recognizes emergency services dispatchers as first responders on behalf of Kauaʻi County and calls on state and county agencies to adopt the same recognition.
“They have never asked to become first responders,” Perreira said. “They have always been first responders.”
Dispatching requires strong multitasking abilities, but while the technical skills of the job can be taught, it is a genuine passion for helping others that turns this job into a rewarding career for some.
Emergency services dispatcher recruitment is ongoing and includes a generous benefits package. Community members interested in a new career path can click here to apply.
