CHICOPEE — Chicopee and the Situation Table team is set to host a two-day training session for those interested. The training will be Wednesday, Feb. 19 and Thursday, Feb. 20 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Chicopee Police Department, 110 Church St.
Registration is required. For more information, readers can call the Police Department at 413-592-6341 or the Mayor’s Office at 413-594-1500.
The proposal to add this program, which will identify and provide assistance to individuals at risk, had been proposed by Ward 7 City Councilor Bill Courchesne and requested by the City Council.
Mayor John Vieau, with approval of the City Council, has adopted the program and has used Opioid Settlement funds to engage with Cordata to implement the program.
The Situation Table is a risk-based, rapid triage group that brings together multiple service providers to address situations where individuals and families have an identified threshold of “Acutely Elevated Risk.” It addresses those who often face the highest levels of risk in the community and too often fall through the cracks in the human services system.
The program will be spearheaded by Police Sergeant Tom Gazda working with Cordata professionals who have established similar programs throughout the country and in Canada.
Cordata provides guidance and training for those who volunteer for the program. They explain key aspects of the program and how to address the needs of repeat and addicted individuals. Getting them the resources to address the root cause of the issue in a coordinated effort.
Courchesne further explained, “The training and establishment of this pre-incident intervention program has been successful in other communities and will save lives here.”
The program has been successful in Chelsea, Springfield and Holyoke bringing resources to at risk individuals suffering from drug abuse, mental issues and other difficulties.
While the Police Department may coordinate the discussions and outline the implementation process, the at-risk individual’s needs will determine the services and will differ in each case.
It is a collaborative initiative driven by multiple human service providers in the community working together. Together the program brings a coordinated plan to an individual directed and working together to resolve the issues facing an at-risk individual.
The Chicopee Police Department is the agency charged with organizing the program here and will be a vital part of our successful Situation Table. The police will be supportive and bring together individuals from agencies to determine the recommended course of action for an individual, considering all the challenges an individual faces and services used to provide support through any crisis or near crisis.
The Situation Table is not about enforcement, this is an opportunity for police to work alongside their community partners to improve community safety and well-being.
First responders are frequently the ones who first encounter situations where at risk individuals are initially identified. The Situation Table is about finding creative ways to assist those in need before an incident.
Vieau stated, “If we can identify individuals before a crisis occurs, we will save lives and protect our community.”
This program represents a critical opportunity for police to continue building trust among their partners and the community.
Police Chief Patrick Major, Fire Chief Dan Stamborski and School Superintendent Dr. Marcus Ware had investigated the program and felt this was something we could add to our services to help prevent emergency situations and address the issues faced by residents and students.
Major stated, “Our department continues to be proactive in addressing the needs of our community, engaging with our at-risk population, and collaborating with our local stakeholders to keep Chicopee moving forward in a positive manner.”
Meetings of the Situation Table are planned to start after the training is completed. The table participants will help to identify those in need and begin their work.
Gazda said, “Together we can save lives.”
