>>Lawmaker To Introduce Bill Providing Enhanced Retirement Benefits For 911 Dispatchers
(Richmond, VA) -- A local lawmaker thinks he has a way to reward 911 dispatchers and attract more. Richard Stelling has more.Preview: Voicer Script:
Colonial Heights Delegate Mike Cherry is pushing a bill to provide dispatchers with the same retirement benefits first responders get. Currently dispatchers are classified as admin assistants, but Cherry's bill would designate them as first responders. Besides better retirement benefits, they'd also get mental health care to help them handle the stress of the job. Cherry hopes this makes it easier to recruit 911 dispatchers. He tells CBS 6 staffing is very low. Cherry plans to introduce a bill in the next General Assembly that begins on Wednesday.