May 3, 2020: Incarcerated First Responders aren't allowed to help

MCI has a Red Cross Chapter, operated under the umbrella of the local Marion Branch, that offers programming to inmates. All of the classes are inmate led and facilitated. Opportunities for learning include courses such as ASL (American Sign Language), Parliamentary Procedures, Spanish Language, Houses of Healing (making good and healthy decisions) and others. As you would imagine, any Red Cross worth its salt would have medical and First Aid courses. MCI offers the following - Bloodborne Pathogens First Aid CPR, Adult and Child AED - Automated External Defibrillation HIV/AIDS awareness Inmates wanting a challenge can complete all of the above medical courses successfully and become a member of ERT - Emergency Response Team. ERT is used when evacuation of injured people is necessary from an accident scene. ERT currently has 50 members out of the 2500 inmates. Those who pass the ERT and show potential and desire for more advanced training are eliglble to join the DAT - Disaster Assistance Team, an advanced medical group that responds to incidents and directs ERT efforts as needed. Admission to the 20 member DAT is highly competitive, testing is done randomly and only the highest scores remain on the team. DAT training is equivalent to EMT Paramedic - Basic schooling. After a year on DAT, you are eligible to become a First Responder. First Responders are called into action when a medical emergency occurs in their Lock, or anywhere in the facility. All First Responders are given a special badge to wear, and are all certified by the American Red Cross as Adult and Child CPR/AED Instructors. Only ten of the twenty DAT members are First Responders. First Responders undergo advanced medical training on opiates and Narcan administration, Stabbing and impalement, fracture reduction and more. First Responders are the medical equivalent of Navy Seals at MCI. DAT and First Responder training and certification is a ton of work. There are manuals to study and practical exams to pass. First Responders have to complete reports and evey incident they respond to is scrutinized and reviewed. I am a proud First Responder! We volunteer for all the extra work because we want to save lives and we care about people. DAT and First Responders are required to have an exemplary discipline record. The Covid-19 crisis has taxed the medical department at MCI to the point the National Guard had to be activated. Medical Staff is burned out and exhausted. I have sent four kites to the Healthcare Administrator offering to assist the medical department where/when/how needed. The kites have gone unanswered. I am dumbfounded as to why the First Responders wouldn't be welcomed with open arms. As a group, we are professional, dedicated and often have more training than the nursing staff. It is very frustrating wanting to help and being rejected. Heck, even if we just provided a listening ear to a scared and sick inmate, helped deliver meals, cleaned the floors or stocked supplies, we would be helping, which is all we desire. Frustrating. Covidism, (Yay! I made a new word) discrimination because of testing positive for the Covid-19 virus, has already started. I was offered an interim position in Commissary until my area reopens, but was denied once my positive status was discussed. I have been symptom-free for over two months. Is this the new norm, people being discriminated against because of a test result? Sigh... Someone alert the ACLU!