The new legislation provides educational scholarships for responders and their dependents, including public safety telecommunicators
Earlier this month the State of Missouri and Governor Mike Kehoe signed legislation that promotes public safety through education. Missouri Senate Bill (SB) 71 contained the Public Safety Recruitment and Retention Act, which provides support for public safety personnel and their families through education scholarships and incentives. The legislation invests in first responders and their families, ensuring Missourians remain confident in their safety and the capabilities of the responders that serve them.
The Missouri statutory definition of public safety personnel includes any police officer, firefighter, paramedic, telecommunicator first responder, emergency medical technician or advanced emergency medical technician. Public safety personnel with at least 6 years of service and the dependent children of public safety personnel with at least ten years of service are eligible to receive 100% tuition coverage in they agree to live in Missouri until they complete their degree or for five years after they first receive tuition assistance.
“This important legislation acknowledges the role that public safety telecommunicators – the first first responders – play in support of Missouri public safety personnel,” said Mel Maier, CEO and executive director for APCO International. “It shows that Governor Kehoe and the Missouri legislature understand that public safety depends on all responders working together to keep our communities safe. Missouri is sending a message that the sacrifices first responders make every day should be rewarded – and that public safety matters.”
