Butler County first responders receive autism response training

MORGANTOWN, Ky. – First responders across Butler County gathered Friday evening in Morgantown for specialized training focused on how to better interact with and assist individuals with autism during emergency situations.

The free “Autism and the First Responder” training was hosted by the Butler County Rescue Squad in partnership with the Kentucky Autism Training Center at the Morgantown Fire Department Building.

The two-hour course covered characteristics of autism, communication and de-escalation strategies, and resources available for autistic individuals and their families. The training was open to firefighters, EMS personnel, law enforcement officers and other emergency responders.

Brandon Keown said the training is designed to help responders better understand how autistic individuals may react during emergencies and how responders can adapt their approach.

“It’s just good to know how to, whatever the situation might be, how to fix the problem with limited information,” Keown said. “If you know someone’s nonverbal and different aspects of this, it’s just coming together trying to figure out the problem in the safest manner we can.”  

Keown said he decided to bring the training to Butler County after learning about a similar class previously held in Warren County. He said hosting the course locally would make it easier for area departments and agencies to attend.  

The training also carried continuing education credit approval through Kentucky emergency medical and fire service agencies.

Keown, who said he has served with the rescue squad for 26 years, said he has responded to numerous calls involving autistic and nonverbal individuals throughout his career.

“Some of the stuff that I’ve learned throughout the years kind of helped me define this subject or better serve them,” he said. “Protect them and get them where they need to be.”  

He added that he hopes the training helps reassure families in the community that first responders are continuing to improve their awareness and preparedness.

“I think they would probably ease their mind a little bit that they now have some awareness of autism and that we can just take that and run with it and help the community even more,” Keown said.