West Virginia 911 dispatchers could be considered first responders under a new bill at the federal level. Supporters say 911 dispatchers experience some of the same trauma as first responders, but don’t always have access to trauma resources or training. The United States Office of Management and Budget classifies them as clerical workers now, but a federal bill would reclassify 911 dispatcher jobs as “Protective Service Occupations.” The bill also encourages ciites to address excessive overtime and understaffing.