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Autism Seminar for First Responders Set for April 11
Goal is to Better Equip First Responders for
Emergencies Involving People with Autism
The Flying Point Foundation for Autism has joined forces with Stony Brook Southampton Hospital and the Suffolk County Department of Health Services, Division of Emergency Medical Services to hold a seminar to help first responders better understand and react to the special circumstances that can arise at an emergency involving people with autism.
The annual seminar coincides with Autism Awareness Month, and will be held this year on Thursday, April 11, starting at 8 a.m. at The Point, the space opened by the Flying Point Foundation for Autism last fall at 1370A Majors Path, Southampton (west side of Southampton Youth Services building). Two presenters are planned: Pensacola Police Department Ret Lt. Jimmy Donohoe, founder of the Take Me Home Program, and Westwood Fire Department Ret Captain Bill Cannata, program director of the Autism Law Enforcement Education Coalition, a pioneering organization in educating first responders about autism.
The seminar will touch on identifying characteristics of behaviors of a person with an autism spectrum disorder. A person with ASD has an impaired ability to communicate, which can result in a high-risk call for responders. The seminar will discuss special tactics, rescue techniques and how to effectively communicate with a person with ASD.
The seminar will count toward five hours of non-core continuing medical education in the special consideration category of New York State CME requirements.
“This session provides the best practices and strategies for interacting with an autistic individual so situations may be de-escalated and first responders can perform their duties safely and effectively,” said William Michael Masterton, chief of education and training for the Suffolk County EMS Division.
All first responders—EMTs, paramedics, firefighters, emergency room personnel, and police officers—on Long Island are invited to attend the free seminar. Registration is through the Suffolk County Department of Health Services, Division of Emergency Medical Services, at 631-852-5800. Hospital and school personnel are also encouraged to attend. Check-in opens at 7:30 a.m. and a light breakfast will be served.
This year’s seminar is made possible by a grant secured through U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer and the PO Eddie Byrne Discretionary Funding Group, administered by the Nassau/Suffolk Autism Society.
General inquires may be send to [email protected].
[caption: Bill Cannata, the original presenter at the Flying Point Foundation for Autism’s first responder training seminar, will return for this year’s event. KIM COVELL PHOTO]