Governor McKee Signs Legislation to Require T-CPR Training

Published on Tuesday, September 14, 2021

PROVIDENCE, RI – Governor Dan McKee, joined by Cumberland Mayor Jeff Mutter, House Deputy Majority Whip Mia Ackerman, Senate Majority Whip Maryellen Goodwin, and public safety officials today signed a bill that improves over-the-phone CPR instructions.

“During a medical emergency, every second counts,” said Governor Dan McKee. “This legislation allows telecommunicators to utilize precious time and make the difference that could save a life. I want to thank the bill sponsors for bringing this legislation through the General Assembly, and helping our first responders and all public safety staff do their jobs quickly and effectively. This legislation will save lives.”

The legislation (2021-H 5629, 2021-S 0385aa) requires all 911 system operators be trained in telecommunicator cardiopulmonary resuscitation (T-CPR) and establishes a call review and quality improvement program for emergency telephone systems.

“911 operators are the real first responders and can make the difference between life and death,” said Representative Ackerman. “When CPR starts before the arrival of an emergency medical technician, the person in cardiac arrest is two-to-three times more likely to survive. T-CPR can help untrained callers provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation. It can also remind those who are trained how to provide high-quality CPR.”

“By training 911 operators in telecommunicator CPR, we save precious time by allowing a caller to begin lifesaving actions immediately, rather than have to wait for the arrival of rescue personnel,” said Senator Goodwin. “In addition, this legislation also establishes a comprehensive call review and quality improvement program.”

The legislation was introduced following incidents where bystanders did not receive proper instruction from 911 dispatchers to perform CPR during a medical emergency.