TFD CARES
Our mission is to protect people, property, and the environment, and professionally and compassionately serve the community. We care about our City and strive to serve all who live, work, and play here. In addition to responding to emergencies, we also provide resources and other support services in our community.
TFD Community Assistance Referral and Education Service (CARES)
The Tacoma Fire Department provides the community with both emergency and non-emergency medical services. In 2012, Tacoma Fire began providing non-emergency medical services to support community members beyond the traditional 911 emergency medical services (EMS) call. The CARES Program is a long-term strategic initiative to support public safety.
It is an expanded fire department-based service supported by Washington State Legislation (RCW 35.21.930)
The CARES Program is available to residents of Tacoma, Fife, and Fircrest. First responders make most referrals to the CARES Program internally. Common referrals include complex medical needs (three or more chronic illnesses), complex psychiatric needs, limited social support (homeless, caregiving, and loneliness), and substance use support and barriers.
More about TFD CARES
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- Works with individuals who frequently call 911-EMS: CARES can help navigate these patients to appropriate levels of care and services to improve their health and remain safe in their homes. The goal is to alleviate the reliance on 911-EMS for non-emergent medical needs while getting patients the care and assistance they seek.
- CARES is a non-traditional team that works within the community, including on the street, with private residences, emergency departments, and primarily by phone.
- Continuously collaborate with community partners in the health care and social service systems to connect care at the right time to the right place.
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The Fire Department recognizes that a person’s need for medical help can extend beyond a 911 emergency medical response, and sometimes, that need can perpetuate the over-use of 911 emergency services. Over-use of 911 EMS by individuals, agencies, and multi-family addresses can have a major impact on emergency response times throughout the entire community. Fire Department non-emergency medical services work to educate on the appropriate use of the 911-EMS system, mitigate over-use of the 911-EMS system, and assist people in obtaining proper medical resources and services. A priority of the department is to ensure community members stay safe and healthy in their homes and in the community.
The Case Management Team includes nurse case managers who provide expertise in all aspects of complex care. Staff assists individuals in making healthy choices and connecting with needed health services. Health services include physical health (chronic illnesses, etc.), mental health and wellbeing, chemical dependency (opioid, alcohol, etc.), and social services (food, transportation).
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The City of Tacoma Fire Department has developed the following strategies to reduce morbidity and mortality associated with opioid use disorder. Currently, our Opioid Response Program has four components: a Narcan distribution program, community training in recognizing an opioid overdose, a Safe Station program, and a Mobile Response Unit.
Narcan Distribution Program
In February 2018, TFD pioneered a community distribution program of free “rescue kits” containing the life-saving medication Narcan, packaged as an easy-to-administer, fast-acting nasal spray. The goal of rescue kits is to reduce morbidity and mortality in the community. Currently, we distribute an average of one rescue kit per week.
Also provided in the kit is:
- Literature on how to recognize an opioid overdose.
- Information on how to connect the person to treatment services.
- Direction on how to obtain a replacement kit.
For additional information about the program, please contact TFD Medical Services Officer, Kurt Gordon at kgordon@tacoma.gov
Safe Station Program
FD’s Safe Station program offers a safe, welcoming environment that is available 24/7 for residents of Tacoma, Fife, and Fircrest seeking help on their journey to healing and recovery from opioid use disorder. The decision to embark on the journey is entirely up to the individual, and there are no initial costs to the individual for the services that include:
- Connection to long-term treatment services
- Transportation to a medical facility, as needed
TFD’s Safe Station program is modeled after the Manchester, New Hampshire program.
*TFD’s only designated Safe Station is at Fire Station 1 (901 Fawcett Avenue, Tacoma, WA 98402).
Program-related questions can be directed to (253) 534-8734 or cares@tacoma.gov
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Education
In addition to one-to-one directed services, CARES also partners with local facilities to address population overuse of 911-EMS:
- Partner with multi-family addresses to generate strategies to assist residents with health and social needs.
- Partner with local community health and social services to support community-wide efforts to ensure the safety of our citizens and improve our community’s health.
- Partner with high-risk clients who are moved from state facilities back to the community.
- Ongoing collaboration with local long-term adult care facilities to safely address the needs of adults living at the facility or staff supporting clients.
University Partnership
Students gain experience through opportunities to innovatively impact community health by implementing various projects to disseminate critical public health information. University partners include:
- Olympic College
- Pacific Lutheran University
- Seattle University
- University of Washington Seattle
- University of Washington Tacoma
- Washington State University
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Behavioral Health Crisis Services
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline/Behavioral Health Crisis Line
“988”Pierce County Crisis Line
1 (800) 576-7764
Crisis Text Line
741741
In Home Urgent Care/Walk-in Clinics
Dispatch Health
(253) 652-0065
Dispatch HealthFranciscan Prompt Care
(253) 428-2200
Franciscan Prompt CareMulticare Indigo Urgent Care
(253) 301-6975 – James Center
(253) 533-6770 – Point Ruston
Non-Emergent Medical Transportation
(425) 328-7651
(253) 858-7088
1 (800) 925-5438
Additional Community Resources
The following links below provide information for additional community resources including medical, caregiving, in-home services, employment, education, housing, insurance, legal services, nutrition services, pet resources, senior centers, clothing resources and more.