Finding alternatives to crisis calls is an experiment now underway at the Seattle Fire Department. A program called Health One has a social worker ride with firefighters, and instead of racing from call to call, the team can spend extra time with each patient.
In no way is Health One set-up to replace police functions. It was designed as a way to relieve regular fire crews. Still, program manager Jon Ehrenfeld said it is the kind of solution that other efforts can model.
“There are a lot of systems out there right now country-wide that are showing this over and over again,” Ehrenfeld said. “These types of alternative can be built in a way that are safe, effective and have better patient outcomes."