CESSA Protocols and Standards Subcommittee Meeting - Approved Minutes 09/21/2023

CESSA Protocols and Standards Subcommittee Meeting September 21, 2023, 2:30 - 4:00 pm via Zoom

Meeting Minutes - Approved by Members 10/05/2023

Call to Order/Roll Call

  • Meeting called to order by Cindy at 2:30pm (via Zoom)
  • Approval of 8/24 meeting minutes:
  • Members Present: Candace Coleman (present), Cindy Barbera-Brelle (present), Lee Ann Reinert (present and approved), Drew Hansen (present and approved), Richard Manthy (present and approved) Bobby (present and approved), Shelley Dallas (present and approved)

State Updates

  • Lorrie: Reminder of October 16 (SAC) and October 17 (RAC) in person meeting. Invitations with location and meeting times will come out shortly.

Updates on Meetings with Protocol Vendors

  • Cindy: Lorrie, Shelley, and Alicia had a meeting with Power Phone last week, have another one scheduled next week.
    • Will be taking opportunity Cumberland County is transitioning to t systems to test run our IRLM.
    • Have not yet reached out to other protocol providers yet, want to work with Power Phone being integrated first.
  • Lorrie: About 1/3 of protocol vendors are using Priority Dispatch and 1/3 are Power Phone.
    • Of vendors we're working with, those with Total Response will be easiest to make the transition.

Discussion of PSAP Readiness Checklist

  • Lorrie: We will be starting with Power Phone Total Response.
    • There will be differences working with the different vendors, those working with Integrated systems will be the easiest.
    • Time commitment and cost are important to think about.
  • Cindy: May want to think about Priority Dispatch soon, instead of last, as they are being used by at least 30 PSAPs.

Beginning Discussion on Additional Protocols Needed

  • NENA Standards (Asantewaa)
    • When transferring calls from 988-911, 988 should provide:
      • Caller name, phone number, IP address, address of the emergency, specific details about why the person was assessed as imminent risk, any known info that would impact the safety of first responders, 988 call back number
      • Kevin (PATH): Agreed that this is all important info that they need. Asked about IP address and contact information for internet legal department.
      • Drew: They contact through emergency subpoena. Experienced a situation recently where they determined a person was imminent risk and was transferred to 911. Tried to find the location of IP address. Resulted in the fire department narrowing it down to a couple blocks and had to go door to door to locate the individual. When they re-established contact hours later, the individual was in a different state. Need to be cautious of VPNs and other internet technology.
      • Shelley: This is similar to a 911 hang up and we can't reach caller back. They have a process they have to accomplish before the cellular company will release any information about the caller or location.
    • Sometimes during a 988 interaction about mental health or emotional distress, a caller discloses another emergency that requires life-saving intervention unrelated to the behavioral health emergency, examples include acute medical emergencies or a violent crime imminent/in progress.
      • Kevin: Important to keep in mind that the intention when calling 988 and 911 is different. Expectation when calling 911 that there will be help sent. With 988, most people just want to talk. Sometimes 988 callers resist sharing information, as they don't want to send someone out. So when 988 initiates a 911 transfer, they understand that sometimes they don't have enough information to locate the caller, but it's all they've got and they are obligated to try to transfer.
    • When transferring calls from 911-988, 911 should provide:
      • PSAP name, callback number, incident number, description of the situation, individuals location, name, phone number, and any additional info on scene safety
      • Shelley: Agrees it's pretty accurate
      • Mary: Asked what incident number refers to
      • Shelley: Every CAD call creates an incident number/case number.
      • Rick: Are 911-988 transfers hot transfers or cold transfers? Do they stay on the call?
      • Asantewaa: NENA standards suggest that PSAP should disconnect from 988 after all pertinent information has been shared with 988 crisis counselors.
      • Shelley: 911 PSAPs are to keep recordings of all calls for up to 60 days, which is probably why they say to disconnect after the transfer is complete.
  • Deflection v. Diversion (Lorrie)
    • Deflection offers an alternative before entering the criminal legal system, while diversion occurs after entering the criminal legal system (Detainment, judge mandate, or prison)
    • Stephanie Frank will be at the 10/5 meeting to discuss in more detail

Next Meeting Dates

  • October 5, 2023, October 19, 2023, November 2, 2023, November 16, 2023, December 7, 2023, December 21, 2023

Public Comment

  • No public comments

Adjournment

  • Cindy asked for a motion to adjourn, and the motion had a consensus by lack of dissent. The meeting adjourned at 3:30.