As Hurricane Ian ravaged Florida, 911 telecommunicators worked overtime, separated from their families and homes, taking calls from panicked storm victims pleading for help. But when Gov. Ron DeSantis awards police officers, sheriff’s deputies, paramedics, emergency medical technicians and firefighters with $1,000 bonuses, the 911 operators are left out because under state law they are not considered first responders.
As Hurricane Ian ravaged Florida, 911 telecommunicators worked overtime, separated from their families and homes, taking calls from panicked storm victims pleading for help. Dispatchers stayed on the line as agencies stopped responding to calls in-person because of dangerously high winds. When Gov. Ron DeSantis awards police officers, sheriff’s deputies, paramedics, emergency medical technicians and firefighters with $1,000 bonuses, the 911 operators across Florida are left out because under state law they are not considered first responders.