available and occupationally relevant can help them deal with excess stress, attain timely and clinically appropriate care, and feel better prepared to respond to an emergency. (13) Public safety telecommunicators, including 9–1–1 operators and fire dispatchers, are the backbone of our national emergency response system. They provide round-the-clock coverage in more than 6,000 emergency communication centers around the country. (14) Public safety telecommunicators are responsible for answering emergency and nonemergency calls and directing police, fire and rescue, and other emergency response personnel to assist those in need. They are required to multitask, conduct on-the-spot problem solving, and maintain composure and compassion, while coaching callers through often difficult and disturbing situations like home invasions, incidents of domestic violence, burning homes, automobile accidents and fatalities, and homicides. (15) The work of public safety telecommunicators is often high-stress, fast-paced, and emotionally demanding. Every day, they are faced with challenges and trauma that places them at increased risk for developing mental health challenges. (16) According to studies conducted by National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, between 17 percent and 24 percent of public safety telecommunicators have symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder and 24 percent have symptoms of depression. While telecommunicators are often the very first responders engaged with those on scene, research on their suicide risk and mental health has lagged. (17) Despite playing a critical role in protecting and saving lives in emergency situations, public safety telecommunicators are classified by most States and by the Federal Government as office and administrative support personnel and not as first responders, leaving them without access to important mental health resources available to other emergency response professionals. 3. Crisis counseling assistance and training (a) In general Section 416(a) of the Robert