Local 911 Director Advocates for cybersecurity, technology, and workforce recognition in Washington, D.C. | Free
https://www.emporiagazette.com/free/article_0a84fe5e-0a0d-40bb-b0b2-1e17773f07b1.html
Publish Date: 2026-02-05 14:17:00
Source Domain: www.emporiagazette.com
Using an unordered list, summarize the following article with between 4 and 8 key points.
Roxy VanGundy, Director of Lyon County Emergency Communications, will travel to Washington, D.C., to participate in 911 Goes to Washington, a national advocacy event focused on strengthening and protecting the nation’s 911 system.VanGundy is attending as part of her duties as First Vice President of the National Emergency Number Association (NENA), representing 911 centers across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.A major focus of this year’s advocacy is the continued need for Next Generation 911 (NG911) infrastructure nationwide, particularly as it relates to cybersecurity. As emergency communications systems transition to digital and internet-based networks, they face increasing risks from cyberattacks and service disruptions.“911 is critical infrastructure, but many systems across the country were not built to handle today’s cybersecurity threats. The number of centers still operating on legacy 911 systems is staggering,” said VanGundy. “Investing in NG911 helps ensure emergency calls can get through during outages, disasters, or cyber incidents.”In addition to technology upgrades, VanGundy and other 911 leaders will advocate for the reclassification of 911 professionals at the federal level. Currently, 911 telecommunicators are classified as administrative workers by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), the same classification used for clerical positions. Advocates are urging federal agencies to recognize 911 professionals as protective service workers, reflecting their role as the first point of contact in emergencies.As of early 2026, the 119th Congress is actively considering bipartisan legislation aimed at improving 911 services nationwide. Two key bills include:• The 911 SAVES Act of 2025, sponsored by Norma Torres and Brian Fitzpatrick, which would reclassify 911 dispatchers as protective service professionals within the federal classification system.• The Enhancing First Response Act, sponsored by Amy Klobuchar and Marsha Blackburn, which would formally recognize 911 operators as first responders, strengthen system resiliency against outages, and improve compliance with federal 911 access requirements.“These bills reflect growing bipartisan recognition that 911 professionals are essential to public safety,” said VanGundy. “How they are classified, and how our systems are protected, directly impacts staffing, retention, and the reliability of emergency services for local communities like ours.”911 Goes to Washington brings together emergency communications leaders from across the country to educate lawmakers on the real-world needs of local 911 centers, especially in rural and mid-sized areas. The Kansas delegation will meet with leaders in both chambers of Congress to discuss current needs in the state.VanGundy has 20 years of experience in emergency communications and currently oversees 911 services for Lyon County.
