Marion County and Salem Fire Department launched a six-month pilot pairing EMTs and mental health professionals to improve emergency response for behavioral health and substance use crises.
Salem, OR. — The Marion County Board of Commissioners has approved a six-month pilot program with the Salem Fire Department to test a new emergency co-response model aimed at improving outcomes for individuals experiencing behavioral health and substance use crises in downtown Salem.
The initiative, operating out of Fire Station 1, will deploy a three-person team composed of an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), a paramedic, and a Qualified Mental Health Associate (QMHA) to respond directly to 911 calls where behavioral health needs are the primary concern. The team will operate 40 hours per week during peak demand hours.
“This program will fill a large gap in our current response options and will be incredibly useful for individuals facing mental health crises,” said Commissioner Danielle Bethell, Chair. “Combining medical response with behavioral health expertise can connect people to the right care at the right time and keep our other emergency resources operating as efficiently as possible.”…