Northumberland Board Chairman James Brann isn’t letting up on his call for dispatchers to be recognized as first responders. Most recently, he publicly made the request for the region’s state representative, Delegate Hillary Pugh Kent, to focus on the issue during the General Assembly in 2027.

Kent came to a Northumberland board meeting this month to discuss some highlights from this year’s General Assembly. Brann, who is chief of the Callao Volunteer Fire Department, told her he’d like to see a bill next year for dispatchers. “And I’d like to see where it passes,” he said.

“It’s about time that this state recognizes dispatchers as first responders,” Brann told Kent. “It has been put off and put off too long. You know, they are the front line of any emergency call before any fire and EMS or law enforcement gets that call. All the counties and jurisdictions need to push very hard this year to get it passed that they are first responders.” Brann has previously expressed frustration that year after year bills are rolled out in Richmond only to fail and has said local governments need to get involved.

“Absolutely,” Kent said. “When you’re talking about working around the clock and working every holiday and a thankless job—I appreciate that.”

“It’s come around a couple times without really getting through,” she said referring to bills related to dispatchers. “So I will certainly do what I can,” she said.

“When the time comes, if you need some push from the counties, let us know and we will help,” Brann committed.