Public Safety nearly complete with medical training

By TOM LAVENTURE

tlaventure@yourdailyglobe.com

Ironwood — The Ironwood Public Safety Department is meeting its goal to have all officers certified in emergency medical response within three years, according to the annual report of director Andrew DiGiorgio during the Ironwood City Commission meeting on Monday.

Police officers often arrive to medical emergencies prior to the paramedics and their role is vital in sustaining life until other help arrives, he said. Department vehicles are equipped with medical response gear to include an automatic external defibrillator and oxygen. 

The department started a three-year initiative to train and certify officers as emergency medical technicians in 2019. Three members have since completed the 120 hour training and certification, and three additional officers are on target to complete the certification in March.

The goal is to complement the efforts of Beacon Ambulance Services, which has a wide area of coverage, he s aid. In times when multiple ambulatory units are called out the role of the public safety department response is vital, he said.

“Training all officers to EMT certification level will provide an enhanced medical service to our community and secure continued medical services,” DiGiorgio said.

There was a 58% decrease in fire service calls during 2020, due mostly to businesses being closed and the relative lack of activity during the pandemic shutdown, he said. The department also serves as the Region 8 HAZMAT response team. The department responded to two hazardous materials calls last year.

The department closed 82% of its calls in 2020, DiGiorgio said. That exceeds the target goal of 75%.

Each officer in the department is assigned a code enforcement and blight zone that is associated with their own private residence in order to build relationships with the community in those areas. Violations are forwarded to the city blight officer when no action is taken.

DiGiorgio said that data on inter-agency cooperative teams, Gogebic Iron Area Narcotics Team (GIANT) and Special Weapons And Tactics (SWAT), was not available on Monday. Those reports will be presented at a future meeting, he said. 

There were three professional standards investigations in response to misconduct complaints from the community. There were two internal investigations resulting in one being withdrawn by the complainant, and the second resulted in disciplinary action for policy violation.

“Corrective action did result in both scenarios,” DiGiorgio said. 

A third incident was reported to an outside agency, he said. The complaint was deemed to be unsubstantiated and was dismissed, he said. All complaints are investigated whether it is internal or externally, he said. 

“We have a process in place that allows for citizens to file a complaint with the city and we want to investigate all of those because we have a high expectation for our officers,” Digiorgio said. “We want them to deliver a community service that is professional and we take that very seriously and investigate all complaints or have other agencies investigate complaints that are brought forward.”

The department is in the fourth year of a five-year accreditation process that ensures training and policies are up to date so that standards are in place to serve the community, he said. The department intends to complete the process and qualify for accreditation in 2022.

Community mental health services are limited due to resources and the department responds to many calls that require the officers to transfer the individuals to Aspirus Ironwood, and if higher level care is required it might require officers to transport to other areas of the state.

“We are more than happy to provide that service but we are working with community mental health and with legislators in our community to try and come up with solutions to better serve our community with mental health resources,” he said. 

Elizabeth Sweeney retired in April 2020 after 15 years as an administrative assistant. The role is now staffed by PSO Sheryl Norman. Three other department staff are expected to retire over the next few months, he said. 

The department continues to play a role with enforcing the state’s executive orders on the COVID-19 pandemic. He said the goal of the department was to educate residents and business owners first before considering a more punitive manner for violations. 

The department has been putting money aside annually to replace a fire engine next within three years. 

Policing requires the community to be involved and helps to determine the priorities, DiGiorgio said. He is looking to form a community task force to explore the goals and mission of the department so that it reflects the needs of the community as determined by the community.

Commissioner Jim Mildren said the department is performing an important service in assisting people who find themselves stranded and in need of shelter or transportation during non-business hours.