Dedication: First responders show their commitment
Last week, first responders in Wood County got an important update to their training that will help them do a better job responding to and helping those who are in crisis.
With help from the Trigon Training Group, responders from the Wood County Sheriff’s Department, Vienna Police Department, Parkersburg Police Department, emergency medical responders, mental health professionals from Westbrook Health Services and others got an upgrade to their skills regarding mental health states, pharmacology, de-escalation and more.
“It is truly a collaborative program,” said Kevin Miller of Trigon. “This is the first one of these kinds of training done in the Parkersburg area.”
As the training culminated in an advanced sample situation Friday during which a number of distractions were created to increase the challenge, Miller explained some of the strategy:
“Are they using their name when they are talking to them, are you labeling their emotions (frustration, anger and so on), are you reflecting what you are being told and doing active listening?” he asked.
As our first responders refine their skills and gain better tools, they and the public they serve will be safer.
“I think that should be commended,” Miller said. “It shows their commitment to their community.”
Indeed, they should be commended.
Brian Swiger of the Wood County Sheriff’s Department noted the training was “about treating people with dignity and giving them the chance to comply with what is being requested of them.”
To know so many in our region who were committed to improving their ability to do that speaks volumes about the kinds of people who protect and serve us.
Thank you, folks, for the reminder.