2026 -- H 8478

========

LC006366

========

     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026

____________

H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

RECOGNIZING APRIL 12-18, 2026, AS "NATIONAL PUBLIC SAFETY

TELECOMMUNICATORS WEEK" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

     Introduced By: Representatives Noret, Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Chippendale,
Finkelman, O'Brien, Hull, Kennedy, Tanzi, and Ajello

     Date Introduced: April 28, 2026

     Referred To: House read and passed

     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-911 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 472,620 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

Island 24 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-911 Uniform Emergency Telephone System,

and municipal public safety agencies across the State.

========

LC006366

========

LC006366 - Page 2 of 2