pages: CityCouncil/2021-09-21.pdf, 21
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CityCouncil | 2021-09-21 | 21 | services; AFD is currently responding to calls for service; AFD has an understanding of needs for calls for service; expressed support for receiving input from the Deputy Fire Chief; stated that she understands the City discussing County requirements; inquired whether language should be included in the agreement or if any changes or modifications to the agreement need to be made; outlined the County providing program requirements not currently outlined in the proposed agreement; inquired whether the language needs to be negotiated at the present time. The Deputy Fire Chief responded AFD is currently working with Alameda County Public Health (ACPH) and Alameda County Emergency Medical Services (ACEMS); AFD works under the County Medical Director; one of the things ACPH requires in order to initiate 5150 calls by telemedicine is oversight from a licensed clinician; AFD would need access to a licensed, on-call clinician able to assess a situation and provide input and consultation; APD is not currently required to have a licensed clinician on-call; ACPH does not want to expand the right for people to invoke 5150; ACPH would like to limit the amount of 5150 calls being placed and overwhelming the system; outlined the 60-hour training completed by nine paramedics; stated if AFD responds to calls above what can be handled, staff will have clinician and Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training in order assess whether to initiate an AFS clinician; the calls may take a long time; the clinician can be present to provide expertise, complement the program and provide a team effort to calls for service. Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft inquired how often AFD is able to use telemedicine for some of the calls received; stated many references to the Mario Gonzales case have been made; questioned whether telemedicine would have been used in the Mario Gonzales case and the parameters. The Deputy Fire Chief responded that he cannot second guess the Mario Gonzales case; stated that he was not part of the call for service; crisis mobile units would likely be present in situations where APD would be moved back to deescalate; if AFD is not able to successfully deescalate a situation, an AFS clinician will be called in to assist. Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft inquired what occurs when the person is violent. The Deputy Fire Chief responded any violent individual requires APD to be present for safety purposes; noted AFD and AFS will be working as a team in order not to have people in harm's way. Vice Mayor Vella inquired whether de-escalation in a similar scenario would require AFD to come in and be the first face of the interaction to ensure the interaction is different from APD. The Deputy Fire Chief responded in the affirmative; stated that his hope is to have AFD out first with two people on a low profile crisis unit; the response will not include a Fire engine and ambulance or APD response; the response will include two people in a vehicle, dressed casually, to engage with the patient; APD may be present in the Regular Meeting Alameda City Council September 21, 2021 17 | CityCouncil/2021-09-21.pdf |