NEPA CIT

12/07/2025

Congratulations to the 16 Pennsylvania Ambulance EMT Students on their completion of the Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) course conducted on Saturday, October 25, 2025.

The Mental Health First Aid course is another tool these EMS Providers and other First Responders utilize when they encounter individuals who may be dealing with crisis, Mental Health emergencies or substance use disorders. The training provides an action plan for providers to interact safely with those they serve.

This Mental Health First Aid course was instructed by the Northeastern Crisis Intervention Team (NEPA CIT) Coordinators, John Chilleri and Ray Hayes as part of the Lackawanna County De-Escalation & Crisis Intervention Collaboration Project.

In 2026 The NEPA CIT Team will be conducting additional Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training throughout NEPA. Dates for Mental Health First Aid training and the 40 hour CIT program are posted on NEPA CIT website, page and Instagram.

11/07/2025

On behalf of the NEPA CIT Coordinators, Cherianne Scala, John Chilleri, Marie Onukiaviage, & Ray Hayes, we congratulate the newest CIT Graduates of the 40-hour Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Training Program. The program was conducted on October 6, 2025 Through October 10, 2025, at The Lackawanna County Public Safety 911Center, Jessup Pa.

The course was attended by 28 individuals from Law Enforcement, Emergency Medical Services , Probation, Parole, Corrections, Fire Service, and Mental Health Crisis Professionals. This course provides attendees with the tools and knowledge to assist individuals experiencing an emotional or mental health crisis. The course concludes with Student Scenario Based Skills Training/De-Escalation Communication, Strategies.

This Program was funded by a federal grant titled Lackawanna County De-Escalation and Crisis Intervention Collaboration Project that was received by Lackawanna County Commissioners and administered by The Advocacy Alliance.

The next CIT program is scheduled for April 2026 The course announcement will be posted on the NEPA CIT page and also sent to all Public Safety Agencies and other Crisis First Responder organizations.

10/29/2025

CIT ADVANCED/CONTINUING EDUCATION PROGRAM CONDUCTED ON SEPTEMBER 16, 2025, AT CAMP FREEDOM
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STAYING GROUNDED WELLNESS STRATEGIES FOR FIRST RESPONDERS CONDUCTED ON SEPTEMBER 16, 2025. On behalf of the NEPA Crisis Intervention Team Coordinators Cherianne Scala, John Chilleri, Marie Onukiavage & Ray Hayes, we would like to thank Camp Freedom for hosting this Advance Training/Continuing Education course. We would also like to thank all of our presenters for taking time from their busy schedules to share their knowledge & expertise.
The purpose of this training was to prepare First Responders to identify the different types of stress and to utilize strategies for building resilience. There were 34 First Responders in attendance at the program.

08/31/2025

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FIRST RESPONDER CONTINUING EDUCATION TRAINING:
WELLNESS STRATEGIES FOR FIRST RESPONDERS
CAMP FREEDOM, CARBONDALE, PA
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REGISTRATION: PLEASE COMPLETE THE ONLINE REGISTRATION AT: https://forms.office.com/r/281wHkbNYK
OR SCAN THE BELOW QR CODE.

08/31/2025

08/28/2025

The next CARE event is September 5th!

FIRST RESPONDERS, family members, GOLD STAR FAMILIES, and GOLD SHIELD FAMILIES, make sure you come and get FREE CARE!!
As a thank-you to all of our American Heroes, the Weinberg Food Bank will also provide free food for you to take home.
➡Register now and share: https://app.donorview.com/O5Y6k

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Equines For Freedom
Carbondale Chiropractic Center
Banyan Treatment Centers
Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs
PA CareerLink Carbon County
Commission on Economic Opportunity (CEO)
Lacawac Sanctuary Foundation
NAMI Northeast Region PA
Wayne Pike Workforce Alliance
St. Luke's Penn Foundation
Elemental Wellness

08/08/2025

The Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #63 is saddened by the tragic incident that occurred in Susquehanna County involving two members of the Pennsylvania State Police, Trooper Perechinsky and Trooper Jenkins.

Our thoughts and heartfelt prayers are with both troopers’ families, our extended law enforcement family, and all those affected by this devastating situation. We are also grateful to our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners who will be assisting in the ongoing and active investigation.

This tragedy hits painfully close to home and is a solemn reminder of the dangers our law enforcement brothers and sisters face every day. Whether responding to routine calls or the most unpredictable emergencies, our officers put their lives on the line in service to their communities.

We ask the public to keep the families of Trooper Perechinsky and Trooper Jenkins in their thoughts. We pray for both Troopers’ recovery from their injuries they both sustained from today’s incident.

We stand united—stronger together in moments of sorrow, and unwavering in our commitment to support those who serve and protect.

07/31/2025

Blue Mass & National Night Out. Don't forget to take some non-perishable items, canned goods or monetary donation for the food bank. August 6, AC Field.

07/15/2025

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NEPA CRISIS INTERVENTION TEAM
TRAINING ANNOUNCEMENT
40 HOUR CRISIS AND DE-ESCALATION PROGRAM FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT, EMS, DISPATCHERS, CORRECTIONS, CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM PERSONNEL & OTHER FIRST RESPONDERS.
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