Public safety software company Versaterm announced an acquisition this month that could add new technology to help connect emergency responders with mental health resources.
Versaterm, which provides software for a variety of public safety functions from records management to computer-assisted dispatch, announced on May 1 that it uses telephone response data to help first responders, such as police officers and firefighters, know when they are on the scene. Announced that it has acquired Mindbase, which determines arrival. Mental health interventions are most likely to be needed, especially after responding to a traumatic call or working long hours.
Rohan Galloway-Dawkins, Versaterm’s chief product officer, told StateScoop that the company’s existing health and well-being capabilities may require help from emergency personnel, such as after a series of traumatic calls. He said it already included early identification alerts to let you know if there was a case. Another existing feature uses historical record data to alert you to the potential need for intervention. The system takes into account whether paramedics have a personal or family history of certain types of incidents that may trigger a stress response, Galloway-Dawkins said.
Versaterm’s existing functionality provided context for identifying when support was needed, but did not proactively connect first responders to peer support groups. Mindbase founder Corey Roberts told StateScoop that his technology does that by taking data collected by computer-assisted dispatch systems and “flipping it.”[s] Keep it around to help the helpers.”
“They just keep moving from shift to shift, doing their jobs the way they think they should be done. So we created a program that encourages active engagement from themselves.” said Roberts. “So we… [computer-aided dispatch, records management system] Leverage data to examine difficult incidents…and capture that data so you can proactively respond. ”
Certain members of law enforcement agencies or dispatch centers are selected to participate in mind-based peer support groups that conduct outreach. Roberts said members are chosen for their resilience and exemplifying best behavior within the department. Support group members receive notifications when they may need to check in with other members, such as after a series of difficult calls.
Roberts said the mind-based alerts are based on the severity of the call, but the system recommends that all employees undergo regular testing.
“Life is difficult for everyone, so we encourage agencies to make it normal for all employees to know their most recent check-in date,” he said.
Checking in all responders is also to maintain confidentiality for responders who receive more check-ins. Roberts said peer support data is also anonymized to protect privacy.
“We literally don’t have it,” he said. “They are completely separate within the system, so for confidentiality reasons, they can go out, speak privately with peer support personnel, and are not named outside of their check-in date. there is no.”
