council3_rubal
Well-known member
Fellow Councilmembers,
It has been reported that mental health issues affect 1 in 5 in the US. We have heard a prior report that a significant number of calls for mental health officers in our community are for the elderly. Indeed, this last year has shown a tragic loss of life. Tonight we are asked to "Approve the budget transfer during the FY 2026 budget process of the remaining $173k to the General Fund for expenditures related to the mental health officers’ salaries."
Because of the magnitude of this problem and that a first responder may need to deal with a mental health issue at any time, I am asking that we consider investing in mental health training programs for more of our first responders (police, fire, and EMS). For police, please reference the Department of Justice website: https://bja.ojp.gov/program/pmhc/training#4-0. In this regard, you may find this background of interest.
Harvard University's Executive Session on Policing and Public Safety issued a policy paper entitled, "From Warriors to Guardians”: https://scholarcommons.sc.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2321&context=law_facpub.
Please also be aware of our Fire Department's request for a fire fighting vehicle in the next Fiscal Year in ADDITION to the programmed purchase of two fire trucks.
.
It has been reported that mental health issues affect 1 in 5 in the US. We have heard a prior report that a significant number of calls for mental health officers in our community are for the elderly. Indeed, this last year has shown a tragic loss of life. Tonight we are asked to "Approve the budget transfer during the FY 2026 budget process of the remaining $173k to the General Fund for expenditures related to the mental health officers’ salaries."
Because of the magnitude of this problem and that a first responder may need to deal with a mental health issue at any time, I am asking that we consider investing in mental health training programs for more of our first responders (police, fire, and EMS). For police, please reference the Department of Justice website: https://bja.ojp.gov/program/pmhc/training#4-0. In this regard, you may find this background of interest.
Harvard University's Executive Session on Policing and Public Safety issued a policy paper entitled, "From Warriors to Guardians”: https://scholarcommons.sc.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2321&context=law_facpub.
Please also be aware of our Fire Department's request for a fire fighting vehicle in the next Fiscal Year in ADDITION to the programmed purchase of two fire trucks.
.