Suicide Prevention Workshops Set for First Responders

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Area Health Education Center will offer two workshops in October on dealing with suicide for first-responders.

Each year, more than 30,000 Americans take their own lives. Another 500,000 visit emergency rooms for self-inflicted injuries. Most often emergency medical technicians, firefighters and police are called as first responders to these deaths and injuries.
 
Their response can make a difference not only in the lives of friends and family of a person who attempted or died by suicide but in the larger community. 

Barry N. Feldman, director of psychiatry services in public safety and assistant professor of psychiatry at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, will present both workshops.

The first workshop, "Suicide Intervention and Prevention: What EMTs and Firefighters Should Know," will be held Wednesday, Oct. 6, and the second, "Suicide Intervention and Prevention What Police Officers Should Know," will be Thursday, Oct. 7.

The workshops are from 9 to 3 and the cost of each is $20, which includes materials and lunch. The workshops will be held at the Berkshire Hills Country Club, 500 Benedict Road. These workshops have been approved for all levels by state Office of Emergency Management Services for five hours of continuing education.

Registration is required by Oct. 4. To register: www.berkshireahec.org, or call 413-447-2417 or toll free 866-976-2432 between 8 and 5 weekdays.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Pittsfield ZBA Member Recognized for 40 Years of Service

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

Albert Ingegni III tells the council about how his father-in-law, former Mayor Remo Del Gallo who died at age 94 in 2020, enjoyed his many years serving the city and told Ingegni to do the same. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — It's not every day that a citizen is recognized for decades of service to a local board — except for Tuesday.

Albert Ingegni III was applauded for four decades of service on the Zoning Board of Appeals during City Council. Mayor Peter Marchetti presented him with a certificate of thanks for his commitment to the community.

"It's not every day that you get to stand before the City Council in honor of a Pittsfield citizen who has dedicated 40 years of his life serving on a board or commission," he said.

"As we say that, I know that there are many people that want to serve on boards and commissions and this office will take any resume that there is and evaluate each person but tonight, we're here to honor Albert Ingegni."

The honoree is currently chair of the ZBA, which handles applicants who are appealing a decision or asking for a variance.

Ingegni said he was thinking on the ride over about his late father-in-law, former Mayor Remo Del Gallo, who told him to "enjoy every moment of it because it goes really quickly."

"He was right," he said. "Thank you all."

The council accepted $18,000 from the state Department of Conservation and Recreation and a  $310,060 from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Safe Streets and Roads for All program.

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