Poudre Fire Authority Firefighters Complete Specialized Dementia Response Training
Poudre Fire Authority has become a dementia friendly agency after all its firefighters completed specialized training in responding to people living with dementia, the department announced October 21.
Every PFA firefighter participated in dementia education through Dementia Together's SPECAL® Method during the agency's fall 8-hour training day. The training helps first responders recognize and compassionately respond to individuals living with dementia during emergency calls.
"Training our responders to better understand and serve those living with dementia is essential," said PFA Training Division Chief Tyson Barela. "This type of focused training not only improves patient care and safety, but also helps our responders communicate more effectively, reduce stress during emergencies, and provide compassionate service to vulnerable individuals and their families in our community."
PFA firefighters reported increased confidence in handling dementia-related calls following the training, describing the instruction as both helpful and informative.
SPECAL Method Focuses on Person-Centered Response
The SPECAL® Method is a person-centered approach to dementia care that emphasizes maintaining wellbeing by prioritizing the current reality of people living with dementia over factual correction, according to the Contented Dementia Trust, which developed the method in the United Kingdom.
Dementia Together serves as the North American Center of Excellence for the SPECAL® Method and disseminates official training across emergency services in Colorado.
The approach trains responders to avoid challenging the reality of individuals with dementia and provides actionable tools for de-escalating moments of confusion or distress. The method differs from general dementia awareness training by offering structured protocols for real-time emergency response situations.
Core principles include not asking direct questions that could increase confusion, avoiding contradiction of mistaken beliefs, and focusing on what makes a person feel safe rather than what is factually accurate.
Systematic reviews of person-centered dementia care interventions show reductions in agitation, improved quality of life and decreased neuropsychiatric symptoms, according to research published by the National Institutes of Health.
Thousands in Region Live With Dementia
More than 90,800 Coloradans are estimated to be living with Alzheimer's disease or other dementias as of 2024, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
Larimer County has an estimated 3,100 to 3,500 residents living with dementia, while Weld County has approximately 2,400 to 2,800 residents with the condition, according to state health department community assessments.
Both counties have rapidly aging populations, suggesting dementia prevalence will continue rising in coming years.
Dementia symptoms often present as confusion, aggression, wandering or non-compliance during emergencies, increasing the likelihood of 911 calls for welfare checks or potential missing person incidents.
Gallery at Fort Collins Sponsored Training
The Gallery at Fort Collins, a local memory care and senior living community, sponsored the training as part of efforts to build a more dementia-friendly city.
Dementia Together, founded in 2015 as a nonprofit organization, works to create communities where no one walks the dementia journey alone through education, support and advocacy across Larimer and Weld Counties.
Recognition Requires Ongoing Commitment
Agencies recognized as dementia friendly by Dementia Together must complete department-wide SPECAL® training, implement ongoing staff education for new personnel, and adapt policies to promote safety and comfort for people with dementia in crisis situations.
The designation requires ongoing education for new hires and periodic recertification, typically on a biennial basis. Dementia Together provides refresher training, updated best practices and direct support to maintain agency status.
PFA serves approximately 212,000 residents across Fort Collins, Timnath, LaPorte, Bellvue and surrounding areas in Larimer and Weld Counties through 13 fire stations.