Senate approves TCPR training bill for 9-1-1 operators

The Senate has given full approval to a measure to ensure 9-1-1 operators throughout Oklahoma have Telecommunicator Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (TCPR) training. Sen. Darrell Weaver, R-Moore, said Senate Bill 1845 directs the Oklahoma 9-1-1 Management Authority to develop a training program in TCPR for 9-1-1 operators by June 30, 2021. The bill received unanimous approval on Tuesday.

Weaver said according to the state’s 9-1-1 Management Authority, there are 129 emergency call centers located throughout the state.  About 50 of those have training for their operators, but most of those are in metropolitan areas.  Weaver said it’s especially important for rural 9-1-1 operators to have this training as response times for ambulances or other responders to arrive may be longer. 

“Everyone thinks of first responders as being the firefighter, the EMT or the police officer who arrives on the scene of a medical emergency after you’ve called 9-1-1, but in reality, the very first responder in an emergency is the person who answers that call,” Weaver said.  “Making sure they’ve had TCPR training can help us save lives in a cardiac emergency.”

SB 1845 would require the training program standards to include instruction on recognizing the need for and delivery of TCPR that can be delivered by 9-1-1 operators for acute events requiring cardiopulmonary resuscitation, including out-of-hospital cardiac events.  The TCPR training must follow evidence-based, nationally recognized guidelines for high-quality TCPR, which incorporates recognition protocols for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest as well as continuing education.

“In a sudden cardiac arrest situation, mere seconds can mean the difference between life and death. TCPR training makes sure the call-taker can move through the appropriate steps in the correct time intervals to give cardiac arrest victims the best chance of survival,” Weaver said.

Weaver said the training is endorsed by the American Heart Association and is supported by the Oklahoma 9-1-1 Management Authority.

SB 1845 now moves to the House of Representatives.

For more information, contact Sen. Darrell Weaver at 405-521-5569 or email Darrell.Weaver@oksenate.gov.

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