Roland says first responders are critical to public safety

NewsTalk KZRG caught up with Joplin Police Chief Sloan Roland at the First Responder Cookout at the Joplin Public Safety Training Center on Friday.

The event, held for the last three years, was delayed from May this year and scaled down, due to the COVI-19 pandemic.

I think its kind of changed our procedures on how you respond to things,” Chief Roland says. “Obviously, we have to wear masks and take more precautions. You try to have less contact with people than you normally would.”

The JPD Chief says first responders are “critical” when medical, fire and police are needed – sometimes all at the same time.