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H8478
2026 -- H 8478
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LC006366
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
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H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N
RECOGNIZING APRIL 12-18, 2026, AS "NATIONAL PUBLIC SAFETY
TELECOMMUNICATORS WEEK" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
Introduced By:
Representatives Noret, Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Chippendale,
Finkelman, O'Brien, Hull, Kennedy, Tanzi, and Ajello
Date Introduced:
April 28, 2026
Referred To:
House read and passed
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WHEREAS, National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week is observed annually
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during the second full week of April to honor the men and women who serve as public safety
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telecommunicators, including 9-1-1 dispatchers, who are the vital link between the public and
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emergency services; and
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WHEREAS, In 2026, National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week is recognized
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from April 12-18; and
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WHEREAS, The State of Rhode Island is served by the Rhode Island E-911 Uniform
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Emergency Telephone System, which operates a 24-hour, statewide emergency communications
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system providing immediate access to police, fire, and emergency medical services; and
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WHEREAS, Rhode Island is one of only a small number of states—and among the only
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states in the nation—to operate a single, centralized Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP)
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handling all 9-1-1 calls statewide, thereby improving efficiency, coordination, and response
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times; and
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WHEREAS, The Rhode Island E-911 system, established pursuant to state law in 1984,
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is designed to reduce emergency response times and enhance coordination among public safety
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agencies by rapidly transferring calls and critical information to appropriate responders; and
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WHEREAS, Rhode Island’s E-911 system utilizes advanced technologies, including
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Geographic Information Systems (GIS) mapping and wireless location capabilities, enabling
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telecommunicators to quickly identify caller locations and assist emergency responders with
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precision and speed; and
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WHEREAS, The Rhode Island Department of Public Safety oversees the E-911 system
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along with agencies such as the Rhode Island State Police and other public safety entities,
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ensuring a coordinated and effective emergency response infrastructure throughout the State; and
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WHEREAS, Rhode Island’s public safety telecommunicators handle hundreds of
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thousands of emergency calls annually, including approximately 472,620 E-911 calls in calendar
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year 2025, as reported by the Rhode Island Department of Public Safety, demonstrating the
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critical and constant demand placed upon these highly trained professionals; and
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WHEREAS, Public safety telecommunicators are the first point of contact in emergency
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response, answering urgent calls, providing lifesaving instructions, and coordinating responses
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while maintaining composure, professionalism, and compassion during times of crisis; and
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WHEREAS, These dedicated professionals serve the residents and visitors of Rhode
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Island 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, often without public recognition, yet their work is essential
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to protecting life, property, and public safety; and
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WHEREAS, It is both fitting and proper that the State of Rhode Island recognize the
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extraordinary service, skill, and commitment of these individuals; now, therefore be it
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RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby
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recognizes April 12-18, 2026, as “National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week” and honors
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and expresses its deepest gratitude to all public safety telecommunicators throughout the State of
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Rhode Island for their indispensable contributions to public safety and their unwavering
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dedication to serving the people of this State; and be it further
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RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to
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transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to Colonel Darnell S. Weaver, Director of the
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Rhode Island Department of Public Safety, and Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police,
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Arthur J. Martins, Director of the Rhode Island E-911 Uniform Emergency Telephone System,
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and municipal public safety agencies across the State.
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LC006366
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