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HR 8478

HOUSE RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING APRIL 12-18, 2026, AS "NATIONAL PUBLIC SAFETY TELECOMMUNICATORS WEEK" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Edith Ajello and 9 co-sponsors

Rhode Island honors public safety telecommunicators during National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, recognizing their 24/7 role as first responders and lifesaving coordinator

04/28/2026 House read and passed
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Bill Summary · HR 8478

Bill Summary – HR 8478 (Rhode Island, 2026)

Title

House Resolution recognizing April 12-18, 2026 as “National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week” in the State of Rhode Island

Purpose and Intent

  • To formally recognize and honor the contributions of public safety telecommunicators, including 9-1-1 dispatchers, who serve as the critical link between the public and emergency services.
  • To acknowledge the essential role of Rhode Island’s 911/E-911 system and its operators in facilitating rapid emergency response and coordination.

Key Provisions

  • Proclamation: The Rhode Island House of Representatives recognizes April 12-18, 2026 as National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week.
  • Acknowledgments: The resolution highlights the importance of telecommunicators in:
    • Serving as the first point of contact in emergencies
    • Providing lifesaving instructions and coordinating responses
    • Operating 24/7 to support public safety in Rhode Island
  • Contextual Information: The resolution notes:
    • Rhode Island’s use of the statewide E-911 system (a centralized Public Safety Answering Point, PSAP)
    • The statewide, 24/7 emergency communications system serving police, fire, and emergency medical services
    • The system’s use of advanced technologies (e.g., GIS mapping, wireless location)
    • The oversight role of the Rhode Island Department of Public Safety, along with the State Police and other agencies
    • The high volume of calls handled (approximately 472,620 E-911 calls in 2025)
  • Official Actions:
    • Directs the Secretary of State to transmit certified copies of the resolution to key public safety leaders, including the Director of the Department of Public Safety (Colonel Darnell S. Weaver), the Superintendent of the RI State Police, the Director of the RI E-911 System (Arthur J. Martins), and municipal public safety agencies statewide.

Who Is Affected

  • Public safety telecommunicators and 9-1-1 dispatchers in Rhode Island
  • Rhode Island Department of Public Safety
  • Rhode Island State Police
  • Rhode Island E-911 Uniform Emergency Telephone System
  • Municipal public safety agencies across Rhode Island
  • General public (indirectly, through the acknowledgment of critical services)

Procedural and Timeline Details

  • Date Introduced: April 28, 2026
  • Action Taken: House read and passed the resolution on April 28, 2026
  • Effective Date: The resolution becomes official upon passage and signature (as a concurrent recognition), with appropriate dissemination of copies to designated officials and agencies.

Observations

  • This is a ceremonial resolution aimed at formal recognition and appreciation rather than creating new policy, funding, or regulatory changes.
  • It underscores Rhode Island’s centralized PSAP approach and the ongoing importance of telecommunicators in public safety infrastructure.

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

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