The program was set to start this fall, but a spokesman for Portland Fire and Rescue said the delay is due to a “hold up in HR.” That’s because the city still needs to recruit crisis counselors, which would be a first.
Hiring crisis counselors is “going to take about four to five months for us to do the market research and really understand what's entailed with that,” said Robyn Burek, project manager. “And then of course the training will also entail de-escalation techniques and managing aggressive behavior and cultural sensitivity.”
Training is expected to last another four or five months, Burek added.