| L.E.A.N. On Us is making a commitment to this project based on a need which has been recognized through the experiences of professionals in the field. To allow first responders to better service our communities, while still ensuring their safety, we feel a program is needed to address the education of first responders in the areas of hidden disabilities and mental illness by providing training through awareness and by providing valuable resources and information. We feel this project will assist first responders in identifying characteristics and behaviors that may help them to assess and assist persons affected while in the field. It will also allow for a better understanding of the recipient rights of those involved as well as provide first responders more information regarding the ADA and their responsibility as employees of a government agency. The Americans with Disabilities Act provides that all law enforcement officials employed by a state or local government agency must adhere to principles of non-discrimination in carrying out their duties. Therefore, it may be a violation of the ADA, for example, if a police officer arrests a person having a complex partial seizure because the officer thought the individual was drunk and may have lacked the training to assist him in identifying the medical needs of the individual. That is something that we feel through appropriate training can be avoided and allow for a better understanding of what may now make people on both sides of the issue feel uncomfortable when broaching the issues involved. As most professional first responder agencies have come to realize, there may be situations where first responder personnel should not be second guessed on their first and immediate actions. However, we do feel we have an obligation to our community to educate our officers and other first responder personnel to avoid unfortunate situations which may arise without the adequate training. Though as first responders we realize that instincts drive actions in emergency situations. We also realize that having viable options to handle such situations are an additional benefit that will assist both first responders and those they are to serve. With the development of a program with other law enforcement agencies that have done so, we feel too that we will be providing first responders with valuable tools that will them to not only possibly saves lives, but will also allow them to build better relationships within our communities to address these matters. L.E.A.N. On Us will be working with first reponder professionals and advocacy agencies to develop a statewide training program similar to the one being provided by the Municipal Police Officer’s Education Training Program in Hershey, Pennsylvania. The M.P.O.E.T. is currently offering the officer’s field guide curriculum: “Recognizing Special Needs: A Police Officer’s Guide to Selected Disabilities” to officers and all new recruits in their basic training. The program addresses specific disabilities such as Autism Spectrum Disorders, Tourette Syndrome, Epilepsy, Mental Impairment, Diabetes and Deafness. The M.P.O.E.T.C. has also developed a curriculum which they have just begun to implement on Mental Illness. Both programs were developed with the guidance of disability advocacy groups, resource organizations, and those affected by the disabilities and their families and are mandated trainings under Pennsylvania legislation. Though we realize the magnitude of this project, we also realize the circumstances which may occur without efforts being made to implement such training. We would like to be a proactive leader within the first responder communities in providing and coordinating such programs. By doing so, we also feel it will assist first responders in the services needed and in protecting each and every member of our communities within Michigan and to also act as a pilot site for other first responder agencies across the country. We realize too that there may be other programs underway that the L.E.A.N. On Us project can learn from and would like to ask that individuals utilizing such programs within the first responder profession share what you have learn has work for your agencies. Together we can all make a difference and allow for a safer tour, for all of us to go home at night to our loved ones, and provide for the needed services that every member of our communities need. |
