By: Diane Benjamin
The left thinks “social workers” should respond to mental health crisis calls. This proves they are wrong yet again:
That government issued release of course leaves out some details.
The story does say Fire and EMT personnel were dispatched to a call for a 23 year old experiencing a mental health crisis. When they arrived three of them were stabbed by this guy. Police were not dispatched, responders had no way of protecting themselves.
The EMT was treated and released. Two firemen were hospitalized, one has since been released.
Why were no police sent to the scene initially? Because of this:
CESSA: Community Emergency Services and Support Act
See more on CESSA here: https://www.accessliving.org/frequently-asked-questions-about-cessa/
Excerpts:
Does CESSA allow co-responder models?
CESSA prohibits the use of co-responder models, which involve law enforcement. The exception to this rule is if a call center believes that there is a threat of violence or a violation of criminal law. Where there is violence or criminal activity, CESSA does not require any particular response. CESSA would not interfere with a program using co-responders in such situations.
When does 911 send a call to 988?
All calls requesting emergency mental or behavioral health care must be sent to 988. Exceptions to this requirement are as follows:
- There is a suspected violation of criminal law
- There is a threat of physical injury to the caller or someone in the community
- There is no indication of a criminal violation or violence
This reduces the number of situations in which police will respond to requests for mental or behavioral health care.
CESSA went into effect on January 1, 2023. The Illinois ruling class has once again preempted local decisions. Endangering emergency personnel is policy instead of common sense.
The individual who was arrested called 911 himself according to the first link. Obviously he didn’t state he had a knife and had plans to attack first responders. Police were not sent because dispatch can’t read minds.
Do unarmed first responders have to die before common sense returns to Illinois? The 3 injured are fortunate a knife was involved instead of a gun.
Taxpayers will be getting the bills for claims by the 3 injured heroes. Injuries will be far more than just the immediate. Everyone in the department will be on edge when responding to these calls in the future.
The local fire department personnel probably know about this incident. It will affect them too.
This story has probably spread nationwide in Fire/EMT circles.
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Yes, this has spread like wild fire in our fire family circle. I do not know what the solution to the mental health crisis is in the State of Illinois. I do know that the current efforts are not working.
It is sad the fact that those who make the laws or rules are not the ones who are put in danger. When will Illinois lawmakers return to common sense? Money speaks volumes. And our Governor has money to keep on dictating to the people of Illinois. The supposed Safe T act is only safe to the criminal, not the public.
Democrats thinks everything is a problem and they have to solve it. Illinois is authoritarian because of their nonsense.