Disabled Residents Introduced to First-Responders

An estimated total of more than 160 local residents and first-responders attended last night’s Meet and Greet at the Rayburn Township fire hall. Volunteer firefighters from Rayburn Township, Kittanning Hose Companies #1, #4 and #6 and Kittanning Township, as well as two Pennsylvania State Police troopers and Kittanning #6 ambulance personnel attended to put disabled residents at ease in case of emergency
by Jonathan Weaver
Dozens of disabled residents are now a little more prepared for any future emergency situations after an annual event last night.
The fourth-annual “Meet and Greet with First Responders” at Rayburn Township Fire Hall introduced dozens of local residents to local firefighters, Pennsylvania State Police troopers and emergency medical responders Thursday evening.
Pennsylvania LINK Southwest Regional Coordinator Dawn Brown said the event– which was held in collaboration with several other agencies, such as HAVIN, Evergreen Homes, Behavior and Developmental Health Program, and LifeSteps – first-and-foremost was held so those residents were not scared of the first-responders only trying to help.
“Sometimes, we get afraid to call our first-responders. We might feel that we’re bothering them or that our emergency isn’t important enough – some people with certain types of disabilities and challenges may tend to be scared of the first-responders,” Brown said. “We want them to know that firefighters are going to look different coming in their gear – and also, as professionals and first-responders, they might not understand that somebody might hide instead of seeking out help – we don’t want them to run away from it.
“Pennsylvania LINK is all about collaborations – we’re always stronger together.”
Pennsylvania State Police Troopers Kapustik and Beatty said the Meet and Greet was valuable for both first-responders and local residents so that they feel a little less frightened during a traumatic event.
“It’s nice for people not to be afraid of the police or afraid of firefighters or first-responders (so that) when (residents) meet them up close, they realize we’re people too,” Trooper Kapustik said. “A lot of times, the first time you come in contact with a first-responder, it’s a traumatic event - this is a nice way to meet first-responders where it’s not.”
Volunteer Firefighters Nick Skrabut and Nicole Eckman dressed in firefighting gear to show residents first-hand.
Pennsylvania LINK Lead Coordinator Melinda McCoy has also had to call first-responders in an emergency situation, and admitted she was scared – but said that 9-1-1 responders gave her comfort.
“When I called 9-1-1, they were able to actually talk me through the event I was experiencing, so I thought they were great,” McCoy said.
McCoy thanked first-responders for their time Thursday, and said this event has become a model for future events in Indiana and Westmoreland County
Kevin Boozel, a Harrisville (Butler County) volunteer firefighter, attended the evening to further explain PA 2-1-1 Southwest that is also available to assist 2.4 million regional residents with non-emergencies - such as assisting an elderly neighbor, finding employment or education assistance.
“2-1-1, like 9-1-1, is (available) 24 hours per day, seven days a week to help. The difference is 9-1-1 is for emergencies, and 2-1-1 is for non-emergencies,” Boozel said. “We ask ‘How can we help you?’ and your zip code, and then we have over 30,000 services we can direct you through – a real live person will answer that phone.”
With call centers in Allegheny and Butler County, more than 72,000 calls for assistance were tallied in 2014.
2-1-1’s Special Project Director, Boozel said 2-1-1 has received multiple calls from Armstrong County, and can assist 9-1-1 with calls as needed.
“We’re helping them know what’s going on out on the street without tying up their phone lines,” Boozel said.
He said efforts are being made to expand the service north toward Erie
PA 2-1-1 Southwest is operated by United Way, but also partners with LINK and aging and disability resource centers. Pennsylvania was one of the final states to implement 2-1-1
Rayburn Township Fire Chief Henry Bellas said the event was enjoyed by both residents and first-responders.

Attendees also were able to walk through the Rayburn Township fire station and talk with Pennsylvania State Police troopers, as well as watch a fire demonstration with firefighters.
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