DA’s office organizes intimate partner violence training for first responders

HADLEY — The Northwestern District Attorney’s Office is offering a training for emergency dispatchers, paramedics and first responders on how to respond to non-fatal strangulation in cases of intimate partner violence on Oct. 3 at the Hadley Farms Meeting House.
When a victim is strangled by an intimate partner, that victim is seven times more likely to be killed by that same partner, according to a press release from the Northwestern District Attorney’s Office. An abusive partner can inflict devastating physical and psychological effects, as well as a potentially fatal outcome.
“Strangulation is the ultimate form of power and control in an intimate partner relationship,” said Northwestern District Attorney David Sullivan.
“It’s critical for dispatchers, EMS and hospital emergency department staff to be trained in all aspects of strangulation in order to recognize the predominant signs and symptoms, and to utilize the most effective best practice response,” said Mary Kociela, director of domestic and sexual violence projects for the Northwestern District Attorney’s Office.
Daniel Batsie, chief of Emergency Medical Services for the Vermont Department of Health, will present the 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. training, which will include a continental breakfast. According to the release, Batsie has more than 29 years of experience as a paramedic, directed two accredited paramedic programs, authored two emergency medical services (EMS) textbooks, and has lectured both nationally and internationally on current EMS topics.
Registration is open now, with priority given to EMS, paramedics, dispatchers and other emergency responders in the Northwestern District, which includes Franklin and Hampshire counties as well as the town of Athol. Registration forms submitted that do not meet the requirements will be placed on a waitlist. The deadline to register is Monday, Sept. 9.
Visit bit.ly/2lvkKEh to register using Eventbrite, or to access a registration form that can be emailed to joviana.rosario@state.ma.us. To register by mail, send the registration form to: Northwestern District Attorney’s Office, Attn: Joviana Rosario, 56 Bank Row, Greenfield, MA 01301.
Those who are deaf or hard of hearing, or who have a disability, and would like an accommodation should contact Kociela by email at mary.a.kociela@state.ma.us.
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