First-responders in the pandemic: Hear the replay

On Thursday, April 23 at 7 p.m., New Jersey 101.5 presented the latest in a series of Town Hall broadcasts to help New Jersey residents dealing with the novel coronavirus pandemic.

Speaking with police, EMS council members, crisis counselors and medical providers, we heard stories of sacrifice and heroism on the frontlines — as well as urgent calls for more support for those braving the crisis for us all.

New Jersey has the second-highest infection rate in the nation. Thousands are hospitalized in critical condition. New Jersey 101.5’s Eric Scott led the news and digital departments in highlighting those circumstances, and seeking connections to those resources that can help now.

"Nurses, EMTs, and police officers are among the many front-line workers who are putting their own health at risk during this crisis," Scott said. "We will both highlight their stories and offer them the resources they need to deal with the overwhelming stresses of their jobs."

The program’s on-air expert featured Debbie White, President, Health Professionals and Allied Employees; Pat Colligan, President, New Jersey Police Benevolent Association; Barbara Platt, President, New Jersey EMS Council; and crisis counselor Dr. Michael Bizzarro, Director of Clinical Services for First Responders for Penn Medicine at Princeton House and on call for the NJ State Policemen's Benevolent Association, the NJ Firefighters Mutual Benevolent Association, the New Jersey State Police Fraternal Association and the NJ Department of Corrections.

More resources, more discussion online

Online, the Town Hall was streamed on Facebook Live, at Facebook.com/NJ1015, where more than 20 resource providers and other experts shared their perspectives and connected those seeking it with care. New Jersey 101.5 further thanks the following for joining the online chat:

• John E. Pellicane, MBA, Camden County Alcohol and Drug Director, Department of Health & Human Services

• Sylvie Mulvaney, BSN, RN, EMT, Public Relations Representative, EMS Council of New Jersey

• Paula Weiler, BS, EMT-I, NREMT, Membership Secretary, EMS Council of New Jersey

• Marilucy Lopes, MSSW, LCSW, Behavioral Health Director/Mental Health Administrator, Union County Department of Human Services

• Melissa J. Niles LPC, LCADC, Cumberland County Human Services Director, Mental Health Administrator & Alcohol & Drug Coordinator

• Stacey Becker, Assistant Mental Health Coordinator for Hunterdon County

• Meg Isbitski, LSW, DRCC, Asst Mental Health Administrator, AFN Coordinator, County of Somerset Department of Human Services

• Jamie Busch, PhD, Assistant Director & Assistant Mental Health Administrator, Ocean County Department of Human Services

• Shelley Feingold, Program Development Specialist, Monmouth County Division of Behavioral Health,

• Robin F. James, MA, PD (MFT), LPC, Administrator of Behavioral Health and Addiction Services for Hudson County Department of Health and Human Services

• Shannon Paskaris, LCSW, Clinical Social Worker for First Responder Treatment Services at Penn Medicine Princeton House Behavioral Health, owner & clinician at Shift Counseling LLC

• Dr. Julie Tropeano, DNP, APN-BC, PMHNP-BC, psychiatric nurse practitioner at Shore Healing Psychiatric Services, Clinical Director of the CISM team for the New Jersey Firefighters’ Mutual Benevolent Association, on call clinician for mental health services at NJ PBA 105 State Corrections, and on call mental health services for New Jersey State Troopers Fraternal Association.

• Barbara Rosen, RN, VP Health Professionals and Allied Employees

• Michele Hart-Loughlin, Division Director, Division of Mental Health Services in Bergen County

• Barbara Biglin, Division Head, Burlington County Division Behavioral Health and Youth Services

• Brenda Browne, Division Director of Mental Health and Addiction Services for Passaic County

• Amy Archer, Division Director of Community and Behavioral Health Services/Mental Health Administrator for Morris County

• Paula Weiler of the EMS Council of New Jersey

• Shanna Learn, LPC, CFO of Cooperative Care partnership, INC CMC

• A representative of the New Jersey State PBA

See New Jersey 101.5's most last Town Hall, connecting residents and businesses with economic resources in the pandemic, here: