Crime & Safety

Willow Grove Fire Co. Creates Special Needs Training

Willow Grove Fire Co. Chief Brain Focht created training for first responders on helping children and adults with autism during an emergency.

By Leann Pettit 

Willow Grove Fire Co. Chief Brian Focht created training that teaches emergency responders how to manage children and adults with autism.

He told Patch that he has a son who is autistic and has learned that 1 in 88 kids are born with autism. A firefighter and paramedic, Focht said there is a need for the township's emergency service team to be educated on and know how to work with this population in case of an emergency.

Find out what's happening in Upper Moreland-Willow Grovewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Trainings, which focus on communication with a child and the traits of an autistic person, began in January and have been given to the Upper Moreland Police Department, the fire company, and to the Lower Moreland Fire Co. He's also done a county level symposium and a training for a group of Bucks County fire chiefs.

He teaches simple things such as to look for kids who might have wandered off toward water (pools, lakes, etc.), offers guidance on watching for what he calls "parroting," or when a child repeats back what you say to them; and ask parents and caregivers for any change in their routines.

Find out what's happening in Upper Moreland-Willow Grovewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The trainings have proven successful, too. Focht told Patch that not even a week after sharing training with the Upper Moreland Police Department, police had an interaction with an autistic child that went better than it could have gone in the past.

"Having a little understanding goes a long way," said Focht.

Upper Moreland Township has begun a special needs database for emergency responders, Focht said. Parents and caregivers can register a special needs person with the township. If an emergency is called in at their address, the individual's information will come up before the police, fire or ambulance reach the house. 

To add someone in your family to the special needs database, contact Sergeant Tim Troxel at the Upper Moreland Police Department at 267-607-1010 or by e-mail at ttroxel@uppermoreland.org.


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