SR125 Summary

• Recognizes the importance of Alzheimer's disease and related dementia awareness training for emergency responders, with an estimated 5.5 million Americans living with Alzheimer's dementia in 2017 and the disease being the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States.

• Congratulates the Alabama Peace Officers' Standards and Training Commission (APOSTC), Alabama Department of Public Health Office of Emergency Medical Services (ADPH-OEMS), and Alabama Fire College and Personnel Standards Commission (AFCPSC) on their willingness to incorporate Alzheimer's awareness training into their curricula.

• Encourages inclusion of Alzheimer's disease and related dementia awareness training as an element of basic academy certification training for emergency medical service providers, law enforcement officers, and firefighters.

• Supports making the training available for in-service training and as part of annual continuing education requirements to help first responders better understand common dementia behaviors and respond more effectively to calls involving persons with Alzheimer's disease or related dementia.