All 988 workers on the crisis continuum should be formally recognized as 1st responders. As of now, the system is in it’s infancy, and as a staff 988 counselor, we need to build the infrastructure for the future of all.
We should also have a station/ center designation, a way of identifying ourselves to other 988 centers, as well as any 911 or emergency services.
Ideally, we should have some kind of national remote infrastructure/ platform we are all using, so we can get over to any and all jurisdictions without the need of their specific phone number.
I know all this costs time and money, but with the 50 million saved by cutting option 3, I’d be nice to use that money to upgrade how 988 does things.
I could go on about suggested improvements, but this should be a good start.