Police safety would be enhanced by establishing certification and training standards for emergency dispatchers, under legislation heard today by the Senate State Government & Elections Committee. “Right now, standards and practices vary across the state,” said Sen. Kevin Van De Wege (D-Sequim), who is also a career first responder. “I don’t know that anyone’s doing a poor job, it’s just that everyone’s doing it differently. Standardizing practices across our state would make for more consistent and efficient communications.” Van De Wege’s Senate Bill 5555 would establish a certification board in the state's Enhanced 911 Coordination Office to create a certification and training program for public safety telecommunicators across the state. The program would develop and share consistent forms and procedures, and ...