Three CARES Teams Now in Service During Peak Call Hours
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CARES, Madison's alternative response service for behavioral health emergencies, announces the activation of a third team to respond to calls for service on weekdays.
Effective today, 'CARES 3' is on duty Monday through Friday, 12:00 PM to 10:00 PM, responding from the old Town of Madison fire station on Fish Hatchery Road. The addition of a third team allows the CARES program to expand its service capacity in response to ongoing demand.
Call data from Dane County Public Safety Communications (911) identified the busiest hours of the day for behavioral health emergencies occur between 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM weekdays. With CARES 3 on duty from 12:00 PM to 10:00 PM weekdays, three CARES teams are now available to respond to calls for service during hours of peak demand.
Since the program's inception on September 1, 2021, CARES has responded to approximately 5000 calls for service.
“CARES continues to provide a much-needed service to our community,” said Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway. “It’s my hope that we will continue to be able to expand coverage and meet the needs of people experiencing mental and behavioral health issues in Madison.”
Each CARES team is comprised of a Madison Fire Department community paramedic and a Journey Mental Health crisis worker. These teams are trained and equipped to respond to non-violent behavioral health emergencies that do not require law enforcement. CARES responds to calls throughout the City of Madison.
In addition to CARES 3, two other CARES teams are on duty from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM weekdays. One CARES team is on duty weekends from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Learn more about CARES.
CARES teams are comprised of Madison Fire Department community paramedics and Journey Mental Health crisis workers.
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