Police commission reverses vote to allow officers to continue to be first responders at medical emergencies
By Mike Cummings
Journal Inquirer
EAST WINDSOR — In two years of service, Police Officer David McNiece says he has saved three people’s lives during medical emergencies.
McNiece, also a certified emergency medical technician, urged the Police Commission on Wednesday to reverse its recent decision to designate the Police Department an optional responder, instead of a first responder, during medical emergencies.
The decision was intended to save money by reducing equipment and training costs, and overtimes expenses.
"My concern is that budget decisions are getting in the way of human life," McNiece said. "This is a service we should provide. It’s there for the public."
Following McNiece’s remarks, the commission voted unanimously to rescind its previous vote, meaning the police will continue to serve as first responders during medical calls.
Commission member Linda Sinsigallo expressed concern that the town’s two ambulances might not always be available to respond immediately.
She cited a recent incident when both of East Windsor Ambulance Association ambulances responded to an incident in East Granby simultaneously.
"If we don’t have a confirmed ambulance in town for 24 hours a day, then we need to stay with this," Sinsigallo said of continuing first responder status.
Commission member D. James Barton Jr. said the decision to drop first responder status was difficult to justify.
"It’s a no-win situation to tell people you’re not going to respond because you don’t want to buy batteries," said Barton, who was not present for the commission’s previous vote on the issue.
McNiece said picking and choosing which medical calls to respond to presents an obvious problem.
"How do you determine the serious calls?" he said.
The Ambulance Association, the town's two volunteer fire departments, and Tolland County Mutual Aid also serve as first responders.
First Selectwoman Linda Roberts is pleased that the commission reversed its decision.
"They are the logical first responders for our town," Roberts said today.
Police Chief Edward J. DeMarco said officers respond to between 800 and 900 medical calls a year.
He said going to optional responder status would have reduced overtime and given officers more time for patrol and to conduct investigations.
DeMarco said the move would have saved between $3,000 to $4,000 a year in equipment costs.
The department’s cruisers are outfitted with heart defibrillators.
DeMarco said the defibrillators’ batteries cost about $300 a piece and often must be replaced.
He said nobody had been happy about dropping first responder status.
"We value the services we provide, and we didn’t want to give up anything," he said in the hallway of Town Hall following the commission’s vote. "But we need the support of this community. They need to stand up and provide the budget we need to serve them as best as possible."
Last month, DeMarco presented a $2.4 million budget to the Board of Selectman, which would be a nearly 12 percent increase — about $258,000 — over the department’s current $2.2 million budget.
The department has 26 sworn officers, including 14 patrolmen.
DeMarco said the budget increase is needed to accommodate the town’s recent growth.
It outlines an overall public safety plan for the town, which witnessed a 16 percent increase in violent crimes last year.
Staff Writer Jennifer Misthal contributed to this story
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