Pittsburgh police, firefighters and paramedics will soon be able to use a mental health and wellness application on their smartphones to get the help they need.
The city is working out the details of an agreement with Cordico Inc., a Frisco, Texas-based company that works with municipalities and organizations to develop these apps.
It is partnering with the Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh, through the 10.27 Healing Partnership, to pay for development of the app using a federal grant.
The app will help meet a goal of Mayor Bill Peduto’s Community Task Force on Police Reform to enhance officer wellness. Legislation to authorize the partnership was introduced to city council Tuesday without discussion.
The JCC has helped lead the community’s response to the Oct. 27, 2018, shooting at the Tree of Life synagogue in Squirrel Hill that killed 11 people and wounded two.
The JCC and the 10.27 partnership have worked since to help first responders deal with the emotional trauma they face daily, JCC Chief Program Officer Jason Kunzman said.
“Day in and day out, each experience trauma as they carry out their duties,” Kunzman said.
The idea is to lower barriers that those who work in emergency services may face to get the help they need, he said.
“We believe an app-based approach can help meet that mission,” Kunzman said.
He declined to comment further because the agreement isn’t finalized.
Public safety officials also declined to comment, aside from a news release issued by Peduto’s office that announced the app was in the works.
Cordico officials didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment, but similar apps developed by the company are used by several cities across the country, which is endorsed by the national Fraternal Order of Police.
