CIT

Excellent comments - and the thing is, with a "merged government" it should be easier for someone to bring all involved parties to the table now. But some idiot - read JA - put the police under a different cabinet head than all the other public safety agencies! But he IS still the mayor, and he can order at least police and EMS to sit down at the table and discuss the issue.

Interesting related discussion going on with the EMS folks, should EMS crews carry weapons? Remember when the last fire chief disciplined EMS personnel for wearing body armor?

That is an interesting point. I have often wondered where exactly is the line between "Who transports?" It is understood that if there is a medical emergency due to the nature of the incident ie... they cut themselves or took some pills, that is quite easily understood.

I definitely don't want to throw EMS under the buss on this. I have seen where they are dispatched and we are dispatched and absent of the above mentioned obvious medical problems, the officer didn't want to transport and felt it was their job. I think he was being lazy, something he confirmed every day until he finally retired.

Maybe we do need a little more clarification on responsibilities. I for one always assume I will be the one transporting unless there is a side issue of a physical nature.

Let's clarify this a little. The part about the program being established with EMS and the Police in mind was to faccilitate us in getting them into the hospitals. It affects us more than EMS, but unless there is a physical or medical reason other than the problem the consumer has it will be the responsibility of the police to transport.

I too strongly believe and support this program. Are their ways in which we can get more community agencies involved? You would think so, but it seems that seldom happens undless it makes the 6 O'Clock news.

I also agree that the more hospitals need to step up and get involved. University is sometimes overwhelmed.

As far as taking them to a more definitive location? Well, it would seem alot of those are in the business for profit, or to be more exact "private" profit. Which can lead to a problem with unethical practices on who would get thier share of patients.

Ever wonder why those treatment centers come to the Academy for recruits during thier CIT training bringing food, etc. It is because they want you to bring them there.

That is a business, and a big miney business at that.