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My work with First RespondersSince my first term in the legislature, I've proudly worked closely with first responders.
In 2018, I co-authored landmark legislation to protect police officers and firefighters suffering from PTSD. The legislation also includes a pathway for coverage for Correctional Officers, EMS workers and dispatchers. Police officers can now come forward to receive the help they need without fear of losing their job, their badge, or their service weapon -- things which officers have said have kept many from coming forward in the past. The hope is this law will go a long way towards reducing deaths by suicide among police officers and other first responders. |
Additional Work for and with First Responders
* Supported full funding of the Firefighter Cancer Fund, and supported legislation to prohibit harmful chemicals in certain products to protect firefighters from on-the-job illness
* Created laws to help train officers to communicate with individuals on the Autism Spectrum and other non-verbal children and adults for the safety of both officers, EMS workers, and individuals. These laws also include requiring communication aids be carried in all emergency vehicles, and also created CT Blue Envelope Program, which allows individuals to self-identify as autistic so that police training will kick-in, and officers will recognize the many behaviors associated with autism, rather than assuming someone is uncooperative, potentially saving lives. These laws are currently being replicated in multiple states.
COVID and First Responders
Covid brought many challenges to police departments. Southington police contacted me and asked for changes to state law to keep officers safe and staffing levels constant to ensure public safety. Governor Lamont enacted an Executive Order at my urging and from Southington PD's request to allow retired officers to rejoin municipal police departments on a temporary basis in order to fill short term vacancies due to Covid quarantine or illness, without negatively affecting their pensions (as it does outside of the EOs).
As subcommitte chairwoman of the Fire/EMS caucus, I wrote and enacted legislation regarding juveniles and arson, utilizing a proven program to reduce recidivism by 90% or more in states where this is already in use.
* Supported full funding of the Firefighter Cancer Fund, and supported legislation to prohibit harmful chemicals in certain products to protect firefighters from on-the-job illness
* Created laws to help train officers to communicate with individuals on the Autism Spectrum and other non-verbal children and adults for the safety of both officers, EMS workers, and individuals. These laws also include requiring communication aids be carried in all emergency vehicles, and also created CT Blue Envelope Program, which allows individuals to self-identify as autistic so that police training will kick-in, and officers will recognize the many behaviors associated with autism, rather than assuming someone is uncooperative, potentially saving lives. These laws are currently being replicated in multiple states.
COVID and First Responders
Covid brought many challenges to police departments. Southington police contacted me and asked for changes to state law to keep officers safe and staffing levels constant to ensure public safety. Governor Lamont enacted an Executive Order at my urging and from Southington PD's request to allow retired officers to rejoin municipal police departments on a temporary basis in order to fill short term vacancies due to Covid quarantine or illness, without negatively affecting their pensions (as it does outside of the EOs).
As subcommitte chairwoman of the Fire/EMS caucus, I wrote and enacted legislation regarding juveniles and arson, utilizing a proven program to reduce recidivism by 90% or more in states where this is already in use.
