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Kirkland Fire’s mobile integrated health team reports large drops in 911 and ER use; seeks outside funding to keep staffing
Summary
Kirkland Fire’s MIH team said a 2024 internal analysis showed an approximate 82% drop in repeat 911 calls and an 81% drop in emergency‑department visits after outreach, and staff requested outside levy funding and partnerships to keep a second firefighter EMT and add a social worker.
Kirkland Fire Department’s mobile integrated health (MIH) team briefed the City Council Sept. 16 on program results for 2024 and requested outside funding to preserve current capacity and expand services.
Taryn Robinson, the MIH social-work coordinator, told council the program currently operates with three core staff — herself and two firefighter‑EMTs — and is funded through the King County BLS levy. “We operate as primarily a referral based model,” Robinson said, describing how the unit takes referrals from first responders after 9‑1‑1 incidents and then does outreach, usually within 24–72 hours.
Why it matters: The MIH model aims to reduce unnecessary emergency medical system use, link high‑need residents to housing and health services, and reduce downstream costs and harm from repeated 9‑1‑1 and emergency‑department visits.
Program impacts and statistics: Robinson told the…
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