UPDATE: APCO Continues to Monitor for Progress on Updating the Standard Occupational Classification

As previously reported, the Standard Occupational Classification (SOC), which is the federal government’s statistical system for occupations, currently identifies 9-1-1 professionals as "Police, Fire, and Ambulance Dispatchers" and classifies them in the "Office and Administrative Support Occupations" category, along with office clerks and secretaries. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is working with other federal agencies like the Department of Labor (DoL) to revise the SOC through a formal administrative process. As part of this process, APCO submitted comments in November 2014 suggesting two changes: (1) Use the title, "Public Safety Telecommunicators" (instead of "dispatchers"), and (2) Classify them as a "protective" occupation, in the same category as police officers and firefighters (instead of in the administrative/clerical category). The next step will be a public notice published by the OMB that describes the changes under consideration. The public notice was originally scheduled for Spring 2015 but has been delayed. APCO has been in regular contact with the OMB and DoL staff who are working on the revision and stands ready to respond as soon as the process moves forward. Stay tuned for further updates on this important issue.