Marion County Commissioners honor public safety telecommunicators, proclaim National Autism Month

Apr. 22—FAIRMONT — Honoring public safety telecommunicators and National Autism Month took top billing at Wednesday's county commission meeting.

It's reported that 60% of police officers will have some interaction with an autistic person in their career. Julie Sole, executive director of the Disability Action Center, said Senate Bill 634, which calls for police officers to be trained on how to respond to those with autism, was being signed by the governor on Wednesday.

Commissioners presented a proclamation naming April as Autism Awareness Month.

"And it's even more special for us because our very own Senator, who is Mike Caputo, who's been a longtime supporter of individuals with disabilities sponsored the bill," said Sole.

Sole said autism is more about acceptance and understanding.

"The bill takes that understanding to the next level to where law enforcement officers will have the needed training and understand how to respond to, work with and even interrogate individuals with disabilities," said Sole.

She said sometimes something that could be conceived as disobedience and non-compliance is really just a manifestation of the disability where an individual with autism doesn't know how to respond socially.

"We're very fortunate here in Marion County, our county commission is hugely supportive of people with disabilities," said Sole.

She said SB 634 speaks to the systematic changing in policy and training that's needed across the state.

The big supporters for the bill are the Disability Action Center and the Homestead Farm Center which also had representatives at the meeting Wednesday. She said also involved with the passing of the bill was the Autism Training Center at Marshall University. The center will be in charge of the training of the law enforcement officers as well as the West Virginia Schools of Diversion and Transition.

Sole said Florida is the only other state in the country that has a statewide bill that provides for autism training for law enforcement officers.

"We're very, very fortunate that this is happening here," said Sole.

Marion County Administrator Kris Cinalli also read a resolution proclamation for National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week stating emergencies can occur at anytime that require police, fire or emergency medical service.

"When an emergency occurs the prompt response by emergency services is critical to the protection of life and property," said Cinalli.

He said public safety telecommunicators are the vital link between those who report emergencies and first responders.

Commissioners proclaimed April 19-23 as National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week. Commission President Randy Elliott said he can't thank telecommunicators enough for the job they do.

"You're true first responders that are as important as anyone we have the in county. You save peoples' lives. People call you when they're desperate when they need help," he said.

Commissioner Linda Longstreth also thanked the telecommunicators. She said she didn't think people realized what they have to go through and mentally what telecommunicators take home with them each night.

"When I went up to see what you did and what types of calls that come in all the time it's a very, very, very difficult job and I appreciate you more than you know and I know that the county appreciates you more than you know," said Longstreth.

After the proclamations, Roberta Steele, chairperson for Project Graduation, accepted iPads that the county commission purchased for the three area high schools.

"We thought something they could use would be something like computers or iPads so we decided this year to provide two iPads to each of the three high schools for Project Graduation," said Elliott.

He said historically the commission has always given Project Graduation something. He said commissioners supports the program, it keeps kids off the streets and gives them something to do.

"We chose to give iPads this year because that's the thing that they want the most and we're providing them with what they need the most and want the most," said Elliott.

Steele said the commission has been supportive of Project Graduation since the beginning.

"Project Graduation only exists because of the support through the community because it's totally volunteer," said Steele.

Project Graduation will take place May 28 at the Marion County National Guard Armory after graduation and take place from 10:30 p.m. until 6 a.m.

Reach Sarah Marino at 304-367-2549

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