Hopebridge celebrates Autism Month with First Responders Day

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Hopebridge Autism Therapy Center hosted First Responders Day on Thursday. 

“Today we are celebrating World Autism Month with our First Responder Day. We invited Station 10 with their fire truck and then also an EMS ambulance as well,” said Peyton Marsh, Community Ambassador, HopeBridge. “We are looking forward to providing exposure for the kids and also the volunteers.” 

HopeBridge is the largest autism therapy provider in the nation. 

Peyton Marsh with Hopebridge says it’s important for children to be aware of emergency protocol. 

“Children with autism or even people with autism, can have an apparent sense of danger and they can also have subtle signs of distress. And so, it is important for not only the kids to be aware of their safety procedures, but also first responders as well,” Marsh said. 

One in 36 children in the United States have Autism, experts explained. 

However, Mike Garren with Hamilton County EMS wants to encourage children not to be afraid of first responders. 

“We just love being involved in the community and letting the children see what we do and how we do it. And see that we are really friendly, and we are not scary folks,” said Mike Garren, Public Engagement Specialist with Hamilton County EMS. 

And one day, Garren hopes to inspire children to have a career in emergency services. 

“One thing, I hope is to inspire them and get them interested in a career as they grow up. Some of them may want to be a firefighter, a paramedic, or a police officer. So I think it is very important to interact with the young folks,” Garren concluded.