pages: CityCouncil/2021-07-06.pdf, 5
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CityCouncil | 2021-07-06 | 5 | The Deputy Fire Chief responded San Francisco is unique in having multiple social workers; stated that he is unsure of the recruitment process; currently, Alameda would need one social worker at 40 hours per week; the training timeline will start with training paramedics through the clinician portion of the program; those eligible for de-escalation training will receive the training; the timeline will fall closer to December or January in having people up and running with a staffed unit; training will continue as people enter the department; the timeline is reasonable. Vice Mayor Vella inquired whether the City will be working simultaneously with the County to get alternative transports and approvals. The Deputy Fire Chief responded staff has been working with the County; stated the County is ready to go and has been waiting on Council's decision; the County is ready to provide training including tentative 5150 training. Al Gilbert, Felton Institute, stated the Felton Institute is the largest provider of 5150 services in San Francisco and is the only agency that provides the service for transitional age youth, adults and older adults; Felton responded to 71,000 calls in the last year due to running the suicide hotline for San Francisco County; Felton Institute has the contract in Alameda County to work with those coming out of jail with mental illnesses; Felton Institute will work to train the Police and Fire Departments; training in 5150 does not equate mental health professional status; Felton Institute will treat people while out in the field and can be operating within 60 days. Curtis Penn, Felton Institute, stated providing response to non-medical calls would be a waste of AFD resources; the training received by Firefighters tends to be counterintuitive to the training required for mental health services; outlined the need for trainings in harm reduction modalities, wellness recovery action plans and understanding cognitive behavioral intervention. Councilmember Knox White stated that he is interested in understanding what the Felton Institute has to offer. Mr. Penn stated the Felton Institute is offering the antithesis of the Fire Department and will be engaging with people in the community; the Felton Institute will not be a triage unit and will not respond to merely take vitals and leave; assessments and plans of care will be provided while connecting people with mental health providers in Alameda County to further understand and provide proper care; team members will not be on the scene to triage, instead de-escalation tactics will be used. Vice Mayor Vella expressed support for responses being provided as soon as possible; stated there are existing frameworks to build from; expressed concern about the clinician position; stated the City does not have social workers to pull and hire from; the proposal received from AFD has been innovative and works within an existing framework; inquired how the City will fill the clinician position and what the position entails during the pilot program; stated the position is not traditional for the City; the goal Continued June 15, 2021 Regular Meeting Alameda City Council July 6, 2021 5 | CityCouncil/2021-07-06.pdf |