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AB 645

Emergency medical services: dispatcher training.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Cecilia Aguiar-Curry and 1 co-sponsor

AB 645 mandates enhanced training and certification standards for California EMS dispatchers to improve emergency response quality and patient outcomes statewide.

Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 273, Statutes of 2025.
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Bill Summary · AB 645

Legislative bill overview

AB 645 establishes new training and certification requirements for emergency medical services (EMS) dispatchers in California. The bill passed both chambers unanimously and was signed into law, becoming Chapter 273 of the 2025 Statutes.

Why is this important

EMS dispatchers are first-contact decision-makers whose instructions can directly affect patient outcomes and survival rates. Enhanced training standards aim to improve response quality, reduce preventable deaths, and ensure consistent competency across California's diverse dispatch centers, which currently operate under varying protocols.

Potential points of contention

  • Implementation costs: Mandatory dispatcher training programs require funding for curriculum development, instructor certification, and release time for current employees to complete training
  • Staffing challenges: Implementing training requirements during a dispatcher shortage could create operational pressures on 911 centers already struggling with recruitment and retention
  • Standardization complexity: California's fragmented dispatch system (county-based, municipal, and regional centers) may face challenges implementing uniform standards across different organizational structures and existing protocols

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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