Those who answer calls for help want to be part of a new law offering benefits for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
“We’re a first responder’s first responder,” said Valley Com 911 dispatcher Cathleen Robertson.
Last week Washington Gov. Jay Inslee signed a bill enabling firefighters, paramedics, and police to qualify for disability benefits from the Department of Labor & Industries for PTSD suffered over a career.
In the past, those benefits were only paid to first responders who could link their PTSD to one incident.
911 dispatchers and call receivers do not qualify for the benefits under the new law because they are considered “office workers.”
“If somebody’s grandma has fallen down ten stairs and she’s bleeding, they’re not going to call a secretary," said Robertson. "They’re going to call 911 and they expect a professional at the other end.”
Representative John Lovick, D-Snohomish County, worked to get the PTSD bill passed in the last legislative session.
He said after hearing concerns from dispatchers and corrections officers, he said he will look to expand of first responders eligible for the state PTSD benefits.
