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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Elliot Jones, Program Manager of Oakland Fire Department's MACRO Program
3:36:11
·
148 sec
Elliot Jones, Program Manager of Oakland Fire Department's MACRO Program, provided insights on alternative mental health crisis response programs. He commended NYC's B-HEARD program and emphasized the need for patience as these programs develop. Jones highlighted challenges and recommendations for improving such programs.
- Emphasized data challenges and the need for better data collection and sharing
- Recommended multiple contact methods for non-emergency situations, including direct lines and email
- Stressed the importance of addressing low-acuity calls to prevent escalation to crisis situations
- Highlighted the role of fire departments in responding to low-acuity calls with minor medical components
Elliot Jones
3:36:11
Hello.
3:36:12
Can everyone hear me?
Linda Lee
3:36:13
Yes.
3:36:14
We can hear you.
Elliot Jones
3:36:16
Awesome.
3:36:16
Well, it's honored to be here today.
3:36:18
My name is Elliot Jones.
3:36:20
I am the program manager for the Oakland fire departments, mobile assistance, community responders of Oakland, better known as macro, And this has really been an enlightening hearing to hear this today.
3:36:31
I just wanna really commend you all on investing in the be heard program.
3:36:35
It's only a few years in, and just like the fire department of today is not the fire department when it first launched.
3:36:42
You need to give these programs opportunity to grow and really come into their own in the public safety landscape.
3:36:49
Across the country, I believe every program is dealing with the data challenges, not only your cities, not great at keeping and sharing data, it is something that we are constantly trying to improve upon to make it digestible so that the public can understand our impact.
3:37:04
Another challenge that was often mentioned here is the dispatch challenge, and I think that that's something that can't be discounted The dispatch challenges that we all face are are are evident.
3:37:16
These systems are underfunded and under depreciated, and they need to be invested in to kind of enhance your call taking capability.
3:37:23
I would recommend having a couple different sources to contact or request support, either a direct line, manage through one of your dispatch centers, or an email.
3:37:33
If something is truly non emergent, I think that you can spend time to write an email.
3:37:39
Finally, I know I don't have a lot of time.
3:37:42
I think a lot of people like to focus on crisis, and and there is so much that can be done up to crisis.
3:37:49
Our model is similar to yours in in a way that we have an EMT that rides with a peer or a community intervention specialist, and they're able to take on so many of these low acuity calls that it never meets the need of not only needing further EMS support, but law enforcement.
3:38:06
I think the fire department has also left out in a lot of these discussions.
3:38:10
They firefighters often have to respond to these low acuity calls that may have a minor medical component.
3:38:15
So having an EM
Joseph Rosenberg
3:38:16
Simon's fine.
Nicholas Tishuk
3:38:17
Thank you.
3:38:18
Listen.
Elliot Jones
3:38:19
I did my best.
3:38:19
Thanks, guys.
Linda Lee
3:38:21
Oh, if you wanted to just wrap up real quick.
3:38:23
Sorry.
Elliot Jones
3:38:24
No.
3:38:25
Absolutely.
3:38:25
Having those 2 components can really address the majority of these low acuity calls that clog up the system.
3:38:32
So continue to invest and work out this model, and and you guys are doing great so far, and we're happy to help all the way out in Oakland if we ever can.