How the CARe Team is Transforming Mental Health Crisis Response
Not all 911 calls need a hose. Learn about the CARe Team—a life-saving partnership between paramedics and mental health experts that provides specialized crisis intervention.
December 7, 2025
Responding with Compassion
In a growing number of communities, fire departments are redefining what it means to respond to an emergency. A key example of this evolution is the CARe Team, or Community Assistance Response Program.
This innovative program recognizes that not all 911 calls require traditional firefighting or law enforcement response. Specifically designed to address the increasing need for behavioral health services, the CARe Team is focused on providing immediate, expert intervention during a mental health crisis.
Who is on the CARe Team?
The core strength of the CARe Team is its dual-expertise model. When a call related to a mental health emergency is received by 911 or the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, the team responds as the primary care provider. The team is made up of two essential professionals:
- A Paramedic from the Fire Department, who provides medical expertise, assessment, and stabilization.
- A Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP), who specializes in crisis intervention, assessment, and behavioral health.
What Does the CARe Team Do?
By pairing a medical provider with a mental health expert, the team can deliver a more appropriate, comprehensive, and compassionate response than traditional emergency services alone. Their primary services include:
- On-Scene Assessment and Intervention: The team assesses the individual's mental and emotional state while also checking for any underlying medical conditions or injuries.
- Crisis De-escalation: The QMHP uses specialized skills to de-escalate the situation and connect with the individual in crisis.
- Facilitating Appropriate Care: Instead of an automatic trip to the emergency room, the team determines the best path forward. This could involve delivering on-scene interventions, connecting the person with resources, or facilitating transport to a local mental health facility.
The CARe Team ensures that community members experiencing a mental health crisis receive the specialized care they need immediately, effectively diverting calls from the emergency room and connecting people to long-term behavioral health support.
