Newport News VA FD Tries Something New

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NNFD, like most fire departments that also provide EMS services, has been trying to come up with some way to ease the load on its EMS units. So they are trying this . . .

"NNFire new CAREs unit started operation last Monday. Our unit is staffed with a paramedic and mental health specialist. Making a difference already by addressing core needs and reducing EMS/PD transports to the ER."

Cares.jpg
 
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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 . . .

 

mack

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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 . . .

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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I have read, in fact I think it was posted on this site of how NYC has tried to implement a program in which mental health experts would go in and try to remedy the situtation.

it was reported that of those incidents, I believe 80 % of those incidents required the services of the NYPD as those health experts were at risk of serious injury

Also as mack says, could it be a way of defunding both the police and fire depts

Anybody who has ever been involved in calls to such incidents would readily report of how dangerous this can be without police backup
 
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If you read the complete description of the program, you will learn that each time the CARE team is dispatched, the police are also dispatched . . . just not in the CARE van. And the CARE team is lead for the incident; not the police.
 

mack

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If you read the complete description of the program, you will learn that each time the CARE team is dispatched, the police are also dispatched . . . just not in the CARE van. And the CARE team is lead for the incident; not the police.
Ray -Thanks for pointing that out. Yes, if you read the news release, a police officer is also dispatched to ensure safety and is not the lead. If this is actually what happens, an EMS call for a reported mental health related incident gets an FD paramedic, a mental health provider and "a police officer".

One police officer responding is deems to be a downgrade for any police department. The police officer not being the lead of a potentially dangerous incident seems to be another downgrade. The message for the community would be that police officers cannot be trusted, or are not as capable to make security decisions as civilian mental health providers/counsellors/therapists - and maybe, should not be the lead for other situations.

One Fire Department member is a downgrade for the Newport Fire Department. And the incident lead - is a civilian from the Hampton-Newport News Community Services Board with unknown medical skills and no law enforcement experience or capabilities. That person then decides if the site is safe.

If the purpose, as the mayor states, is to keep people out of jail, then this will work. I am skeptical, however, that this is the safest and most effective response for both the individual involved or the personnel responding. I always liked knowing there were a few cops, an engine company and a medic unit working together at these incidents until there was an assessment made at the location. I thought it worked out best that the appropriate mental health provider was determined and available after the scene was secured and an assessment made - not before and maybe not at the scene.

I hope it works for Newport News. No one likes to work these responses. Mental health providers play an important roll helping people who need special care. Many EMS calls for reported mental health incidents could be handled without a cop or without fire department personnel or without transport - but there is no way to determine what assets are required with only a 911 call.
 
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