Recognizing April 12-18, 2026, as "National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week" in the State of Rhode Island

WHEREAS, National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week is observed annually during the second full week of April to honor the men and women who serve as public safety telecommunicators, including 9-1-1 dispatchers, who are the vital link between the public and emergency services; and

WHEREAS, In 2026, National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week is recognized from April 12-18; and

WHEREAS, The State of Rhode Island is served by the Rhode Island E-9 Uniform Emergency Telephone System, which operates a 24-hour, statewide emergency communications system providing immediate access to police, fire, and emergency medical services; and

WHEREAS, Rhode Island is one of only a small number of states—and among the only states in the nation—to operate a single, centralized Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) handling all 9-1-1 calls statewide, thereby improving efficiency, coordination, and response times; and

WHEREAS, The Rhode Island E-911 system, established pursuant to state law in 1984, is designed to reduce emergency response times and enhance coordination among public safety agencies by rapidly transferring calls and critical information to appropriate responders; and

WHEREAS, Rhode Island’s E-911 system utilizes advanced technologies, including Geographic Information Systems (GIS) mapping and wireless location capabilities, enabling telecommunicators to quickly identify caller locations and assist emergency responders with precision and speed; and

WHEREAS, The Rhode Island Department of Public Safety oversees the E-911 system along with agencies such as the Rhode Island State Police and other public safety entities, ensuring a coordinated and effective emergency response infrastructure throughout the State; and

WHEREAS, Rhode Island’s public safety telecommunicators handle hundreds of thousands of emergency calls annually, including approximately 472,6 E-911 calls in calendar year 2025, as reported by the Rhode Island Department of Public Safety, demonstrating the critical and constant demand placed upon these highly trained professionals; and

WHEREAS, Public safety telecommunicators are the first point of contact in emergency response, answering urgent calls, providing lifesaving instructions, and coordinating responses while maintaining composure, professionalism, and compassion during times of crisis; and

WHEREAS, These dedicated professionals serve the residents and visitors of Rhode Isl; and hours a day, 7 days a week, often without public recognition, yet their work is essential to protecting life, property, and public safety; and

WHEREAS, It is both fitting and proper that the State of Rhode Island recognize the extraordinary service, skill, and commitment of these individuals; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby recognizes April 12-18, 2026, as “National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week” and honors and expresses its deepest gratitude to all public safety telecommunicators throughout the State of Rhode Island for their indispensable contributions to public safety and their unwavering dedication to serving the people of this State; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to Colonel Darnell S. Weaver, Director of the Rhode Island Department of Public Safety, and Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police, Arthur J. Martins, Director of the Rhode Island E-9 Uniform Emergency Telephone System, and municipal public safety agencies across the State.