First responders participated in training that will help them recognize those with autism-related behaviors — and be of assistance when emergency situations arise.

“We are looking out for the safety and well-being of all, including those with autism,” said Zach Kirsch of First Due Autism Training.

The two-hour training session at the Hometown Volunteer Fire Company brought more than 75 firefighters, ambulance personnel, dispatchers and police officers from three counties.

“We are first responders and we want to bring this information to you,” said Kirsch, a captain with the Orwigsburg Fire Department.

The training was compiled by Kirsch, whose son is on the autism spectrum, and others who have experience with autism.

Kirsch explained that his eyes opened to autism when his son, Noah, 4, was diagnosed two years ago.

The signs weren’t obvious at first.

But the diagnosis explains why Noah has difficulty communicating, and some of his behavior interferes with day-to-day functioning.

The neurodevelopmental condition presents with varied behaviors and severity, and can impact a person’s social skills and communication.

Kirsch was devastated by his son’s diagnosis but decided that he needed to advocate for Noah and others. With 18 years of experience as a first responder, he wanted to teach others how to help autistic individuals in emergency situations.

Jackie Ginther, an emergency medical technician from Northern Berks EMS, is also an instructor with First Due. She learned that her son, now 24, was on the autism spectrum when he was 5. Despite his diagnosis, Ginther said her son appears “normal.”

And because autism can be “invisible,” she said emergency scenarios can be difficult for first responders who don’t always realize they’re helping someone with the condition.

A show of hands revealed that about a quarter of the class had assisted an autistic or special needs person on a call — but only a handful had any sort of training with disabilities.

Kirsch, Ginther and Frank McDonough, also an Orwigsburg Fire Department captain, encouraged simple communication, limited touching and minimal noise.

The trio presented different scenarios, and they walked the class through each one.

First Due Autism Training has frequent sessions, including one held recently from the West End Fire Company in Mahanoy City. Lindsey Gerhard, a Hometown fire company member who helped organize the recent training, said she and several others attended.

“This program is awesome. I took the one at the West End and I thought, ‘I can’t wait for the next one,’ ” Gerhard said.

The Hometown fire company and Tamaqua Ambulance Association contacted Kirsch to hold a session and invited first responders. Attendees arrived from the West End, McAdoo, Ryan Township, Hometown, Tuscarora, Beaver Meadows, Altamont, Wright Township and East End (Tamaqua) fire companies and the Tamaqua, Shenandoah and Lehighton EMS squads.

“This program is an amazing thing and teaches people very valuable information — to take a step back and assess the situation before just running in,” Gerhard said.

Also on hand were the We Are One Foundation and Christian’s Crayons for Autism. We Are One provides inclusive events for folks with autism and other disabilities.

Gerhard explained that Hometown’s former fire chief and current member Barry Messerschmidt “met” Ty and Suzanne Harris, the We Are One founders, when their vehicle was struck in Rush Township.

At the scene, Messerschmidt recognized that the couple’s adult son had autism and allowed him to stay with his mother as they rode in an ambulance.

Christian’s Crayons offered crayons and coloring sheets to first responders building “sensory boxes” for those with autism.

The Luzerne County nonprofit also donates proceeds from its crayon sales to programs that support individuals with disabilities.

“I want to show everybody that neurodiversity should be celebrated,” said founder Jennifer Ochs, whose son, Christian, is autistic.

General Insurance provided food and refreshments.