COLUMBUS, Ind. – Through a grant provided by the Autism Society of America and Today’s Champions, the Autism Society of Indiana purchased picture communication boards for all emergency response apparatus at the Columbus Fire Department (CFD).
The communication boards will provide firefighters with an alternative method to communicate with a person who may be nonverbal, have limited English skills, have autism, or have other disabilities or mental health issues. All Columbus Firefighters have received training on how to implement the communication boards.
About 66% of all CFD calls are emergency medical responses where direct communications with a patient or family member increase a firefighter’s ability to appropriately assess and treat a patient.
“The Columbus Fire Department has been provided a valuable resource to help improve our ability to communicate with members of our community,” said Chief Andy Lay. The boards have been placed in each front-line emergency apparatus at all six Columbus Fire Department fire stations.
The Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office received communications boards in August of this year.
