12-05-2025
Hampton Division of Fire and Rescue debut crisis team to handle mental health emergencies
HAMPTON, Va. (WAVY) — The Hampton Division of Fire and Rescue will debut a specialized unit designed to respond to calls involving behavioral or mental health crises.
In collaboration with the Hampton-Newport News Community Services Board and Sentara Health, the Community Assistance Response (CARES) Team pairs a behavioral health crisis clinician from the community services board with a fire division emergency medical responder who can respond to 911 mental health crisis calls.
The goal is to help minimize police presence and involvement in behavioral health emergencies with a mission of reducing the risk to these individuals by de-escalating immediate stresses and connecting them with appropriate cares and services.
The CARES Team will operate from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays. The hours may expand based on operational data and community.
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