31-01-2025
Emergency personnel undergo Crisis Intervention Training in Weston
WESTON, (WBOY) — At the West Virginia State Fire Academy in Weston, local law enforcement and other emergency personnel are learning how to better deal with de-escalating situations through Crisis Intervention Training (CIT).
The American Psychological Association reports that at least 20% of police calls involve substance abuse or mental health issues. To deal with these kinds of calls, emergency personnel learn how to de-escalate crisis situations through role plays and lessons.
The CIT course in Weston lasts five days with training on suicide intervention techniques as well as strategies for dealing with substance use disorder, behavioral disorders, mental illness and autism. The goal of CIT is to better equip emergency personnel to deal with those with mental health concerns and refer them to the proper resources.
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'We have a plethora of individuals with mental health disorders with [substance use] disorders. In order to try to remedy some of those problems we need new tools,' West Virginia CIT Project Director Hollis Lewis said.
Representatives from Lewis and Gilmer County 911, the Lewis County Sheriff's Department and the Weston Police Department were in attendance. Lewis said that another key part of the training was setting up collaboration, and with representatives of different emergency responder teams at the training, they could open communication about this issue. Furthermore, during the week, the class performed site visits to various facilities that touch crisis intervention.
'Well, I believe what we're learning is a better way to communicate and de-escalate somebody that is in a major crisis,' Weston Police Chief Michael Posey said. He added that he would recommend the training to any police department.
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