People calling 911 in Phoenix will now have a new option during the initial call intake. Starting Monday, December 15, 2025, 911 operators on both emergency and non-emergency lines will ask callers during the call, “Do you need police, fire or behavioral health?”
This addition comes after the Phoenix City Council unanimously adopted a series of measures aimed at modernizing public safety services and expanding community-focused support.
“This new option to request behavioral health help during a moment of crisis will help make Phoenix a safer community,” Mayor Kate Gallego said. “This will help 911 dispatchers send the right people with the right training when it matters most.”
If the caller requests behavioral health, operators will still triage the call to determine whether a police or fire response is also necessary, or if behavioral health professionals can handle the call without police or fire assistance. When only behavioral health is needed, the call will be transferred to the Behavioral Health Dispatcher at the Phoenix Fire Department, who will deploy a Community Assistance Program (CAP) Team…