Laramie Advisory Commission on Disabilities

Laramie Advisory Commission on Disabilities City Hall Council Chambers 5:00-6:00 pm Thursday, July 12th, 2018 Meeting Minutes Members Present: Nick Wiseman, JoCarol Ropp, Marla Puett-Sandberg, Donna McElwee, Michaela Rank Members Absent: John Poland, Jasper Hunt, Michael Lavelle Council Liaison: Klaus Hanson Staff Liaison: Jasmine Parten Guests: Sam Burkett, Mark Sparks, Steven Morgan, Michael Hotchkiss Nick called meeting to order at 5:07 pm. I. Nick had each guest introduce themselves. II. Approval of May 3rd minutes tabled until September meeting. III. Steve Morgan the PSAP Administration Coordinator began to speak about how the Dispatch division of the Police Department works. a. Steve explained that the Detention Center/Dispatch Department is ADA accessible as much as it can be and can accommodate most people. b. When a hard of hearing individual calls 911 and the call is silent the dispatcher will send a test ping to see if person is hard of hearing. Dispatch is in the process of accepting texts. c. Michaela asked what the response time would be once 911 can receive texts. Steve said there will be a text back that will confirm the message, the system will meet the I3 standard. d. Michaela asked if you could dial 911 without service. Steve replied that there needs to be a cell tower, a text takes less bandwidth. Can also text without a carrier, which will be great in an active shooter situation. e. Nick asked if it is possible to text 911 without the phone being activated. Steve said he was not sure it would have to be tested but would think that texting would have to be allowed on that phone. The preferred method will be to call when you can, text when you can’t. f. Klaus states that he has always wondered about the sparse cell service in between towns. Steve stated that Wyoming is very challenging. WYO Lake radio system helps with the limited cell service but they have to build more towers. 911 in Wyoming is administered county by county. Albany county has partnered with Laramie county to help with the costs of the new towers. Dispatch has a radio that can transfer to any phone number in the world. The expansion will provide backup to other phones. Nick asked if the UW Police Department is a backup. Steve replied yes, but that will change.  g. JoCarol directed her question to Shift Commander Mike Hotchkiss, what happens with individual’s oxygen supply during power outages. Mike replied that it normally only happens in certain areas, when they receive a call the Fire Department will set up new tank free of charge. h. JoCarol asked if an individual calls about their oxygen will they receive help. Steve replied that dispatch will call the Fire Department if necessary. JoCarol asked if the individuals who have oxygen tanks know what to do. Mike replied that is he is unsure of the information they receive. Nick stated that information should come from the provider. Steve stated that in his hometown there was a system where individuals could sign up to allow first responders to know if there was a medical issue, only three people used the service. i. Mike stated that each call they receive is handle differently based on the situation. There are translation services that can be used by phone if necessary, if the person is hard of hearing they have used pen and paper to communicate. The Fire Department helps disabled individuals every day. They help them in anyway they can, including installing a railing in a shower. Klaus asked who maintains the translator list. Mike replied the hospital does. j. Mark asked what happens in a crisis, when an individual becomes combative. Mike explained that they have restraint protocols and will restrain chemically if necessary. Mark asked if they have to restrain physically. Mike stated that they work closely with the Police Department but try not to. Usually there is a care provider who can help with calm the situation. Steve stated that the Police Department has an extensive policy concerning restraint training, they go through CIT training. k. Donna asked how the Police approach someone who can’t speak. Appearing to be aphasic can be the cause of multiple issues. The people in these types of professions are amazing observers. Dispatch has a list of translators including individuals who can speak ASL. Sam said that he has friends in pathology who may be able to help. Steve invited the board to come and do a sit along with dispatch. IV. JoCarol wanted to remind everyone to go and vote for the 6th penny tax. Klaus said that you could vote now. V. Meeting adjourned at 6:00 pm.