CIT AND THE FORGOTTEN “First, FIRST RESPONDERS”: The Importance of Training 9-1-1 personnel Presented by: Lisa fitzgerald Thomas Jefferson area cit Charlottesville, virginia

what is a “first, first responder”? Communications officer Dispatcher Telecommunicator Call taker Emergency communicator 9-1-1 OPerator https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebJFHcnaGCA

Why train emergency dispatchers in cit? 9-1-1 personnel are often the first to make contact 9-1-1 call takers can often diffuse the situation before police arrive A negative interaction with 9-1-1 can set the tone for responders 9-1-1 personnel typically receive very little training in crisis de-escalation 9-1-1 call takers can refer citizens to resources other than police 9-1-1 personnel may be aware of consumers who never see pd or mental health 9-1-1 personnel can and should attend monthly cit meetings 9-1-1 center holds a wealth of statistics that are useful to cit programs

What’s in it for me? Establish buy in 9-1-1 centers are all short staffed – is this training necessary? Cit is for more than just mental health calls….

Cit training can be used for: https://youtu.be/ibVIdWcobak Domestics Disorders Suicidal callers Child callers Robberies Cardiac arrests Elderly callers overdose calls B&e in progress calls Active shooters sexual assaults Shootings Stabbings Abductions Missing children Officer involved shootings And so many more!

What to include in cit dispatcher training: Description and overview of the cit program and why it is needed Overview of mental health states and symptoms Discussion about suicide and suicidal callers “hearing voices” or another interactive activity for awareness List Community resources available De-escalation techniques for dispatchers Scenario role-playing to reinforce those techniques

Don’t forget… Use appropriate experts for each training topic Keep your class size down (10-15 is ideal) Scenarios are important and everyone needs to participate Make sure the content is specific to 9-1-1 not just an 8 hr pd class Cit for dispatchers should be at least an 8 hour class Don’t let it end with the training – include them in CIT Monthly review

Examples of Forms

CIT Is About Teamwork… Make 9-1-1 part of that team!

Contact information Lisa fitzgerald Charlottesville-uva-Albemarle county ecc 2306 ivy road Charlottesville, va 22903 Thomas Jefferson area cit lfitzger@Albemarle.org (434) 977-9041