In the first week of CARE's operation, they responded to 30 calls. While that is probably nowhere near what an FDNY EMS unit sees in a week, it's a pretty good beginning for this new program, the first of its kind in Virginia. Here's what the city has to say about it . . .
In the first week of CARE's operation, they responded to 30 calls. While that is probably nowhere near what an FDNY EMS unit sees in a week, it's a pretty good beginning for this new program, the first of its kind in Virginia. Here's what the city has to say about it . . .
Newport News Launches Community Assistance Response (CARE) Program
www.nnva.gov
Sorry, but I don't buy this as a safe solution for reported mental health related EMS incidents. Sending only one fire department member and a "mental health specialist" to reported mental health emergency incidents is potentially dangerous. It seems like a policy targeted to save dollars, eliminate police protection and reduce fire department assets on the scene that might have been able to quickly help, protect, search, assess, diffuse, treat, transport.
For some responses, this CARE counselling team would work, but it will be very difficult for a dispatcher to determine when a team with such limited capabilities would be appropriate to respond - especially in a big city. I have seen many reported "mental health" (or whatever terminology used) responses which were: dangerous; involved drugs and alcohol; involved crime; involved weapons; were violent; became violent; required restraint; had other illnesses and medical conditions to treat; required transport; required help for other individuals at the scene; etc.
What qualifications do these "mental health specialists" have? Seems like the trained FD paramedic could be on their own teamed with a mental health provider who has very limited medical qualifications and no law enforcement capabilities - and of course, is paid less to save the city some money. And what type of "mental health specialist" responds to these various incidents - child specialists, spousal abuse specialist, substance abuse, depression, suicide specialist, elderly? How long do these teams stay on the scene for assessment and treatment to prevent the need for transport?
The city's press release sounds like a propaganda announcement from its mayor, who by the way, is a dentist. 30 responses - and no transports required? Everyone assessed, treated at scene - seems terrific, but not realistic. The stated goal by the mayor is to "keep people out of jail". For what?
Is this really a solution to ease the EMS load or is it a proposal to defund and diminish the police and fire departments?
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