HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_Miscellaneous_04/16/1989_Public Safety Committee Public Safety Committee Meeting Minutes
April 6, 1989
Page 4
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2) Give police additional training - BLS, Fire - Rescue
3) Provide necessary equipment for police
4) Establish proper protocol - "first- responder"
5) Enable police to "save a life" until paramedics arrive
(possibility of continued use of Palm Beach County
Ambulance and Fire Rescue)
Ideally, the above referenced "plan of action" could be used
as a "First Phase." In actuality, according to Chief
Roderick's "First Aid /CPR Policy Report (see attachment),
Tequesta Police are practically doing this now. Mr.
Capretta emphasized that improvement of "first- responder"
service to the public by the police be top priority,
regardless as to whether or not Tequesta goes with the
Public Safety Concept. He noted that it would certainly
help to improve the image of the police as "life- savers."
Mr. Capretta did agree, however, with Mr. Burckart on the
problem of liability and advised a short -term investigation
of the risk factor be undertaken. Mr. Burckart reiterated
the need for additional Basic Life Support training and
emphasized that police must feel confident to go into a
situation and take action. Chief Roderick noted that police
action depends on the particular situation. Tequesta Police
are certified to administer CPR and stop bleeding (First
Aid.) The next "step -up" for the policemen is EMT
(Emergency Medical Technician), at which point it would be
necessary to provide defibrillators in police cars.
Village Manager Bradford noted that at police training
school, police receive BLS training. He asked if they
received fire - extinguisher training? Chief Roderick said,
"No," although extinguishers are carried in standard police
cars. Manager Bradford also noted that Greenacres City's
police (in standard police cars) have BLS and ALS (Advanced
Life Support) training. It also has an officer in a
modified pick -up truck which holds 300 gallons of heavy
water with a pumper to extinguish small fires.
Additionally, Greenacres City has large fire apparatus at a
particular location, as well as ambulance /rescue service to
transport people to the hospital. Mr. Capretta stated that
Greenacres City may be an appropriate "comparison town" to
Tequesta; "we fit the picture like a glove." He wanted to
"see" a Public Safety Department in operation first -hand.