FoundationAnnualReport2022

Erie County Sheriff’s Office are just a phone call away if needed. “We have a great relationship with local law enforcement. Because we rarely request their assistance, they immediately respond when we do,” says Ralph. Firelands security officers also work jointly with local law enforcement when needed. The officers monitor police and fire scanners for emergencies involving Firelands. Recently, Officer Nick Johnson was listening to the scanners when he overheard a woman call the Perkins Police Department to report that her suicidal daughter intended to purchase a gun and shoot herself. Another call from the Sandusky Police Department reported that the woman was in the Firelands parking garage and was threatening to jump. “I was in the control room and on the monitor when I saw a woman on the highest floor of the parking garage. I ran to the garage, found a distraught young woman, and recognized her from previous visits to the hospital. I asked her to come to the ER with me and talk to someone, but she refused. I kept her talking until a Sandusky police officer, who had entered the parking garage in his cruiser the same time I did, could arrive and help me,” recalls Nick. “She suddenly ran towards the outside wall of the parking garage. She had thrown her leg over the wall by the time I reached situations with patients and visitors and their own personal issues.” A former police officer at Cedar Point and Perkins Township, Ralph began his tenure at Firelands in 2007 as a security officer. He was appointed captain in 2013 and has earned numerous certifications along the way, including that of a Certified Healthcare Protection Administrator (CHPA) for the International Association for Healthcare, Safety, and Security (IAHSS), which is the only organization dedicated to professionals involved in managing and directing security and safety programs in healthcare facilities. Ralph is among about 500 people worldwide who earned the prestigious CHPA certification. Highly respected for their professionalism and competence, many of the Safety and Security Services officers have previous experience as police officers or have served in the military. They also receive extensive training when hired, including how to perform CPR, administer First Aid, and handle various high-risk situations. “We ensure our officers are equipped with the tools and resources to do the job,” says Ralph. Firelands security officers can handle most of the situations that arise at the facility. Still, the Sandusky Police and Fire Departments and Firelands Safety and Security Services her, so I grabbed her book bag and pulled her towards me. By then, the Sandusky police officer had arrived, and the two of us were able to stop her and transport her to the ER for treatment.” Firelands awarded Nick the Lifesaver Award for his efforts. Fortunately, most encounters do not escalate to such a crisis, but when they do, the Firelands security officers are ready to assist. “Most of the time, people in crisis want to vent their feelings and have someone listen. Part of this job is to respect their feelings and talk to them without passing judgment,” says Nick. “We interact with people from all walks of life. Most people do not want to be in the hospital, so we try to make the experience more pleasant and help them through a difficult time.” Ralph is proud of the men and women of Safety and Security and the invaluable services they provide for the hospital. “It takes a special person to be a hospital security officer. You have to listen to people and not take things they say and do personally. Our patients and guests are not trying to make our life difficult; they’re here because they need help. We must be prepared for all types of incidents and stay calm and level-headed. I have dealt with more high-risk situations here than I did as a police officer, but it’s so rewarding to help people and watch them get better,” says Ralph. 19