Editor’s note: This is a special request by JEMS Editor Emeritus A.J. Heightman for EMS participation in ASM behavioral emergencies research.
Dear EMS Leaders & Providers,
Anthony Tucci, a Chief for Western Berks Ambulance in Reading, PA, is attending the internationally recognized Ambulance Service Managers (ASM) program through Fitch and Associates and leading a team to determine how we, in EMS, can fit in and assist in addressing the national behavior emergency response dilemma.
Anthony’s group of leaders from across the country is working on resolving how EMS can serve as team member in Behavioral Emergencies.
I have been attacked by patients who should have been managed earlier by mental health agencies, and my father was nearly killed by a man who went bizzerk on a kitchen floor (PS: His partner knocked the attacker out with a frying pan that was on the stove).
So I am well aware of the need for providers to be better prepared to deal with the growing number of behavioral emergencies being thrust on us, accelerated by the confinement and isolation caused by the pandemic.
Please complete this survey and send it out to your leaders and providers as a top priority.
Just as we did with an ASM team’s great work on assessing Stress and Suicide trends and concerns involving EMS providers, JEMS will print this ASM team’s findings and recommendations in a future article.
This is an important mission. Please take five minutes and complete the survey here.
