pages: CityCouncil/2021-05-08.pdf, 8
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CityCouncil | 2021-05-08 | 8 | In response to Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft's inquiry, the Interim Fire Chief outlined the Alameda County Community Assessment Treatment and Transport Team (CATT), which sends a Clinician and an EMT to respond to calls; stated it is on a very limited basis due to not having staffing at this time; discussed transports; stated in preliminary conversations, County EMS has offered to allow the Fire Department latitude in transporting calls to alternative destinations, rather than the emergency room. Councilmember Herrera Spencer requested clarification whether non-violent calls could go to Fire first, which is already happening in some situations; stated doing so could be a short- term, immediate change. The Interim Fire Chief stated the calls appropriately go to Police Dispatch that has the proper equipment to follow calls; discussed Dispatch operations; stated non-violent calls could go to Fire. Vice Mayor Vella stated that she does not have a problem switching non-violent calls for service to Fire first if there is a mechanism in place; stated that all 5150 calls do not need to go to John George; inquired whether there is a way to work with civilian or community based response models; how it could be integrated; are there alternative destinations other than a hospital or John George, such as a day center. Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft stated that she would like the City Manager to respond since he has been surveying options; she is interested in working with people who are currently trained and working in the mental health field; Firefighters getting 90 hours training is admirable; however, there is something to be said for someone already well versed in responding; calls could involve the homeless, which involves connecting to existing resources; requested the City Manager to share what he has learned about other transport options. The City Manager stated the County has the mobile crisis teams; the question is whether Council wants community based, agency paramedicine or some combination; the models are being evaluated; answers can be provided if Council prefers one model; options can be brought back. Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft stated that she wants whatever can provide the most coverage; she does not want gaps in coverage; when calls come in, she does not want to send the Police because there is no one else to call; she has not researched the best model; it may be cobbling a couple of different systems together. Councilmember Knox White acknowledged the loss of Mario Gonzales; stated condolences are not enough; with a couple of tweaks on a few items, he will be ready to support the seven items in the Referral; Councilmember Daysog's comments started down the path he was also thinking about; as the policy body, Council should ask the City Manager to come back with recommendations; as Councilmember Herrera Spencer said direction has been to start looking at the matter; he was heartened that the City Manager already had meetings on the books and was working on the issue the day following Mario Gonzales's death; he does not have a strong belief whether it needs to be a community or staff based organization; for longevity, having things within the organization tends to ensure it stays; Special Meeting Alameda City Council 8 Amy 8, 2021 | CityCouncil/2021-05-08.pdf |