Potter County Commissioners court approves first responder mental health training

AMARILLO, Texas (KAMR/KCIT)- The Potter County Commissioners Court unanimously approved an Interlocal agreement with Amarillo College, that provides first responders with mental health training.

According to memorandum presented to the Potter County Commissioners Court in December 2022 the court approved funding of State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds for a mental health project.

“It’s very important, because when these officers stop someone with a mental illness, they don’t know how to handle them sometimes, “said Potter County Judge Nancy Tanner. “So it’s really, really good to know that they get the training that they need to know how to approach these people.”

Currently the agreement is meant to provide one training of Emotional Survival with an obligation of $10,000. According to the memo presented because the agreements creates an obligation and treasury allows amended contracts after December 31, the interlocal can be amended.

“It’s really important to me, because I do all the mental health hearings for the entire Panhandle,” said Tanner. “So, for them to come forward and say we’re going to do some training with officers. It’s a gift. It’s a gift from above. This is a really good thing that we will take advantage of.”

All county safety responders including sheriff personnel, firefighters, correctional and detention officers and support employees such as dispatchers can complete the training.