As we head into the political season this fall, it’s important to remember that the decisions made in Washington can have a direct impact on our emergency communication centers (ECCs). As someone involved in this field, here are a few key areas I’ll be keeping an eye on that could affect how we operate.
One of the biggest factors is federal funding. Congressional budget decisions directly affect programs that support emergency communication, such as DHS and FEMA grants. These funds are critical for upgrades, staffing, and training. Additionally, ongoing efforts to modernize the 911 system—particularly Next Generation 911—are heavily influenced by political support. The faster these programs are supported, the quicker we can adopt new technologies.
Labor policies are another big issue. Any changes to laws around minimum wage, overtime, and public employee benefits could impact our staffing levels. There’s also growing discussion around mental health support for first responders, which could lead to improvements in working conditions for emergency dispatchers. Lastly, national conversations about diversity and inclusion might influence how we recruit and retain staff, potentially creating more equitable opportunities within our field.
As ECCs rely more on digital systems, the political focus on cybersecurity becomes increasingly important. Legislation aimed at protecting critical infrastructure could help secure our systems from cyber-attacks. Privacy laws are another area to watch, as evolving regulations around data protection could require us to make changes in how we handle sensitive information like 911 call recordings and location data.
With climate change leading to more frequent natural disasters, our centers are at the frontlines of disaster response. Political decisions around disaster preparedness funding will influence how well-equipped we are to handle increased call volumes during events like wildfires and floods. There’s also growing advocacy for more resilient infrastructure, which could help ensure our communication networks remain operational during extreme weather events.
As we exercise our right to vote this season, I encourage everyone in our field to stay informed about how these issues may affect our ability to serve our communities.
by: Jon Stueve ORCEMS
Jon Stueve is an emergency communications professional with over 30 years of experience in public safety. He holds an Advanced Telecommunications and Supervisor certificates through the State of Oregon, as well as the Continuity of Operations Practitioner (COOP) and the Telecommunicator Emergency Response Taskforce (TERT) certifications through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
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