PHOTO: A specially painted lifeguard tower at Mother's Beach in Marina del Rey is promoting the Los Angeles Fire Department's new Sirens of Silence program, which helps raise awareness and acceptance of Autism Spectrum Disorder.
The program is a partnership with the county fire department, Fourth District County Supervisor Janice Hahn and the Department of Beaches and Harbors. The goal is to consider care for people who have Autism Spectrum Disorder.
"Our first responders know that keeping everyone safe cannot be a one-size-fits-all approach," Supervisor Hahn said in a statement. "The approach and protocols that work for one person may not be appropriate or helpful for an adult or child with Autism Spectrum Disorder." The department has developed new training with help from parents of children with autism, to give firefighters, paramedics and lifeguards more tools on how to treat someone and give them the best care possible.