REMARKS
Council Member Joann Ariola's opening remarks on mental health crisis response
0:05:02
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139 sec
Council Member Joann Ariola, Chair of the Committee on Fire And Emergency Management, delivers opening remarks for a hearing on mental health crisis response in New York City. She emphasizes the challenges faced by first responders during mental health emergencies and expresses interest in learning about the B-HEARD program and efforts to improve outcomes for mental health calls.
- Ariola highlights the need for training protocols, emergency procedures, and a multi-agency response to mental health crises.
- She expresses concern for the safety of first responders, particularly EMS workers who have faced increased workplace violence.
- The council member looks forward to understanding the city's plans for addressing the needs of New Yorkers with serious mental illness and providing necessary tools and training for first responders.
Joann Ariola
0:05:02
Thank you, Chair.
0:05:03
Good morning, everyone.
0:05:04
I am Joanne Ariola, Chair of of the Committee on Fire And Emergency Management.
0:05:10
First, I'd like to thank my colleagues, Chair's Narcisslee Salam, for collaborating in leading today's important hearing.
0:05:18
The medical emergencies involving individuals experiencing mental health crises present unique challenges to first responders and our society at Lodge.
0:05:30
The potential volatility and unpredictability of these emergency calls can create meaningful risk of escalating violence that has too often led to serious injury to first responders and individuals desperately in need of mental health care.
0:05:48
As a city, we have an obligation to our citizens and to our workforce to establish training protocols emergency procedures, and a multiagency response that bring treatment and care to those experiencing mental health crisis, while still ensuring protections are in place that protect the life and safety of our first responders and civilians alike.
0:06:11
As you've heard from chair Lee's statement, the BEHARD program is one example of a multiagency response to mental health crisis, one that aims to provide clinical support to those in need.
0:06:22
I'm eager to hear from the FDNY, HNH, and NYPD regarding the operations of be heard, evaluations of the success, and limitations of the program, and examine the administration's vision for the future of be heard, and how the city aims to improve outcomes from mental health calls.
0:06:42
I'm also interested in hearing from FDNY about their ongoing efforts to afford EMS workers the training, support, and protections they need to successfully navigate mental health goals.
0:06:54
As ambulance workers have increasingly faced occurrences in the workplace that are violent.
0:07:00
Again, thank you all for being here today, and hopefully, at the conclusion of today's hearing, we will have a better understanding of how the city plans to address the needs of New Yorkers with serious mental illness as well as provide the necessary tools, training, and safety equipment needed for our first responders.
0:07:18
Thank you so very much for the time.
