(Caption for Photo: Dispatchers take calls on Tuesday at the Allegheny County Department of Emergency Services. (Credit for Photo: (Louis B. Ruediger, TribLive))

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) 911 dispatchers in Pennsylvania are now classified as first responders, just like firefighters or police officers, thanks to a new state law.

This bill was passed in both chambers of the Pennsylvania House unanimously and it was signed by Governor Josh Shapiro on Friday.

The legislation is called House Bill 453 and it was introduced by Democratic State Representative Jessica Benham.

This law classifies 911 dispatchers and all telecommunicators from being considered as clerical workers or office clerks to first responders.