(a) The General Assembly finds that 9-1-1 specialists are key members of the team of public safety personnel responding to requests from the public for emergency assistance.
(b) Each jurisdiction employing 9-1-1 specialists shall:
(1) appropriately classify 9-1-1 specialists as first responders in recognition of the training, knowledge, and skills that 9-1-1 specialists possess and demonstrate in answering and handling requests for emergency assistance; and
(2) compensate 9-1-1 specialists in a manner that:
(i) reflects their membership in the team of public safety personnel answering and responding to requests for emergency assistance; and
(ii) is commensurate with the training, knowledge, and skills they possess.