On March 26, 2018 H1449 and S1479 were combined as S1479 and released FAVORABLY from Joint Committee on Public Service. Now is the time for dispatchers thru out the state to contact you Senators and Representatives asking that they get behind this bill (again S1479). Ask that they support the Dispatchers thru out the State that answer the 911 calls from them, their neighbors, family and constituents during times of crisis. Further it is that dispatcher voice that while calming the caller will also be dispatching the necessary emergency responders and we will be there 24x7x365.

The Massachusetts Communications Supervisors Association (MCSA) and the Massachusetts Chapter of the National Emergency Number Association (MA-NENA) testified at a hearing for the Joint Committee on Public Service on October 31, 2017 at the Massachusetts State House. MCSA President Christopher Campbell, MA-NENA President Shad Amed along with MCSA Vice President Donald Hancock were joined by Rep. F. Jay Barrows (R-Mansfield) in offering testimony in favor of S.1479 and H.1449.

MCSA and MA-NENA were honored to be the first members of the public to offer testimony before the panel and were even more presently surprised to have a strong showing of support from uniformed Police Officers at the hearings to testify on behalf of other legislation. The officers gave unsolicited testimony on our behalf and in favor of these critically important pieces of legislation.

While on Beacon Hill members of the MCSA Retirement Committee as well as members of MA-NENA were able to arrange multiple meetings with legislators throughout the day concerning Dispatcher retirement issues. President Campbell, President Amed and members of the retirement committee met with bill author Rep. Todd Smola (R-Warren), Rep. F Jay Barrows (R-Mansfield), Sen. Michael Brady (D-2^nd Plymouth & Bristol), Rep. Theodore Speliotis (D-13^th Essex) and House Speaker Robert DeLeo (D-19^th Suffolk). These meeting were very productive and made for a notable day on beacon Hill.

If anyone has not yet submitted testimony on Behalf of H.1449 & S.1479 there is still time to do so. Emailed testimony can be sent to Cameron.Doherty@MAhouse.gov. The Committee will accept testimony for a short period of time.

The next step is to have these bills moved out of committee and continue on with the process. We need to keep pressure on our legislators by making calls and face to face visits until these bills move forward. I would urge all dispatchers across the Commonwealth to continue to contact your elected officials, to continue to check the status of these bills and to make sure they understand these bills are important to their constituents. Let them know they need to advocate for them on your behalf. MCSA and Mass NENA will be continuing to do the same.

"Developing Dispatchers & Dispatch Centers"

The Massachusetts Communications Supervisors Association (MCSA) is an independent, voluntary association of persons who manage, supervise, work in or are involved with the operation of 911 and dispatch organizations. MCSA members are sworn fire or police personnel of various ranks, communications supervisors, dispatchers, 911 operators, and other employees of police and fire departments, emergency communications departments, county dispatch centers, state police communications centers, state and other organizations working with 911 and dispatch functions, and EMS providers.

Please click here for information on joining the MCSA.

Updated October 21, 2017 -

Massachusetts Dispatchers now is the critical time for your voice to be heard

For over 10 years the Massachusetts Communications Supervisors Association has been working to have Emergency Telecommunicators reclassified into Group 2 under the Commonwealth’s retirement system. To quote a good friend of the Association, “This process is a marathon and NOT a sprint.” This is the year to bring this process to the finish line!!

During the last legislative session our proposed bills made it the furthest along in the process than they have ever progressed before and with only two co-sponsors. This year our numbers have increased exponentially. At the start of this legislative session, two pieces of legislation were filed on our behalf at the State House, House Bill 1449 and Senate Bill 1479. With your efforts and the efforts and voices of dispatchers from across the Commonwealth we have gained great support. H.1449 has now been co-sponsored by 68 members of the Massachusetts Legislature and S.1479 has received a very respectable, 21 co-sponsors.

Now is the time we call upon you again… for the next leg in our journey. Now is the time your voices need to be heard even louder. It is time to share your stories with the elected officials of the Massachusetts State House. On October 31, 2017 at 1pm the Joint Committee on Public Service will hold the ONLY public hearing on these two bills. It will be the only time you be able to tell your story, to show that we are all negatively impacted by the same stressors and shift work as our other public safety partners. Let your elected officials truly understand the impacts your jobs have on you and your lives on a daily basis.

These bills directly affect all of us! Regardless of state or municipal agency, Police, Fire or EMS discipline. If you are a certified 9-1-1 telecommunicator in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts this issue directly impacts your future and your retirement. Whether you just came on the job or you’re rapidly approaching retirement your voice is CRITICAL now!

I ask you to prepare written testimony and submit it for the record prior to the hearing. The Joint Committee on Public Service will accept written testimony via email and enter it into the record as long as it is received prior to the hearing at 1pm on October 31, 2017.

I urge you to join other dispatchers from across the Commonwealth along with MCSA and MASS NENA at the State House and show your support for these bills. Call your elected officials to inform them you will be at the State House on October 31^st and let them know you would like to speak with them in person to discuss this important issue. Join us at the hearing and show the Committee that our resolve and commitment to this issue is strong.

We need you now more than ever. Don’t let your previous efforts be in vain. Now is the time to dig deep, step up and finish this race with us. Show that Emergency Telecommunicators truly are the Commonwealths FIRST first responders!

If you have questions please contact any member of the executive board or email retirement@ma911.org

Addition Retirement Info - Located Here