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As Hurricane Ian ravaged Florida, 911 telecommunicators worked overtime, separated from their families and homes, taking calls from panicked storm victims pleading for help. But when Gov. Ron DeSantis awards police officers, sheriff’s deputies, paramedics, emergency medical technicians and firefighters with $1,000 bonuses, the 911 operators are left out because under state law they are not considered first responders.

When Gov. Ron DeSantis delivered $1,000 bonuses in September to first responders 911 dispatchers didn’t get the money or recognition.

As Hurricane Ian ravaged Florida, 911 telecommunicators worked overtime, separated from their families and homes, taking calls from panicked storm victims pleading for help. Dispatchers stayed on the line as agencies stopped responding to calls in-person because of dangerously high winds. When Gov. Ron DeSantis awards police officers, sheriff’s deputies, paramedics, emergency medical technicians and firefighters with $1,000 bonuses, the 911 operators across Florida are left out because under state law they are not considered first responders.

When Gov. Ron DeSantis awards police officers, sheriff’s deputies, paramedics, emergency medical technicians and firefighters with $1,000 bonuses, the 911 operators across Florida are left out because under state law they are not considered first responders.

Florida is among 32 states that don’t treat 911 dispatchers as first responders. Recent efforts in the state Legislature to change that have not advanced.