Updated 05/24/2012 03:02 PM
ABW Logo Now Displayed on Rural Metro Ambulances
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Two local agencies are teaming up in a way that the executive director of
Alternatives for Battered Women says is an example of a true coordinated community response to bring awareness to the issue of domestic violence.
Wendy Tisdale has been an EMT with Rural Metro for almost 19 years. She's seen just about everything over the years, including her share of cases of domestic violence.
It was Tisdale who came up with a new way of reaching victims of domestic violence who may need help.
"I thought it was a good idea to raise awareness not only for our community but also battered women, to let them know they are not alone and there are others out there just like them," explained Tisdale.
Her idea turned into decals with information about Alternatives for Battered Women that are currently on at least 10 Rural Metro ambulances and will soon be on all the company's fleet. Those ambulances respond to calls all around Monroe County. Leaders say several thousands of those calls a year are domestic-violence related.
The decals and cards with ABW information that can discreetly be given to victims at the scene, are one part of the partnership between the two agencies. The collaboration also includes training.
"It's a way to present a resource to victims of domestic violence," said ABW executive director Cathy Mazzotta of the new decals. Mazzotta said it's also a way for trained first responders to approach someone who they suspect might need help.
"If they're ready to take action, they've got the information. If they're not quite ready to take action, they have the information to use later down the road."