In a bid to bolster public safety efforts in Georgia, a new mandate has hit the floor—911 dispatchers must now become proficient in guiding callers through lifesaving procedures such as CPR. This training requirement is now state law after a report by 11Alive indicated that 80 dispatch centers in the state were previously ill-equipped to provide CPR instructions during emergencies. This overhaul aims to ensure that all 911 operators are CPR-trained and certified by 2025.

"It is our job to lead them out of that crisis," Cobb County 911 Director Melissa Alterio told FOX5 Atlanta, expressing enthusiasm over the legislation. Dispatchers in Cobb County, who've been offering such medical instructions for years, have reportedly racked up a number of "documented saves."

Dispatcher Robert Ebbeman, according to the same interview with FOX5 Atlanta, has witnessed the direct impact of this training, noting he's had to coach several callers through the CPR procedure personally. Ebbeman stated, "We impact lives one call at a time."

On a more local note, the Houston County E911 Center has had a leg up, providing CPR training for their dispatchers for decades. Lt. Veronica Edens, the 911 center's operations coordinator, underscored the gravity of the role during an interview with 13WMAZ: "They are essential to saving lives every single day." The sentiment was echoed by Capt. Mikki Quinones, E911 division commander, who emphasized that "every single call is different."

The first few minutes of an emergency, often experts say, are crucial for administering CPR. The new policy has been hailed as a significant step forward for the state's public safety communications. "I just think it's a huge blessing for public safety communications," Quinones told 13WMAZ. With this move, Georgia dispatchers will be equipped to offer calm, life-preserving guidance in some of the most frantic and vulnerable moments experienced by the state's residents.