Dayton discusses pilot program linking firefighters to community health services as repeated medical calls fall

The Dayton City Council received a detailed presentation and discussion on a pilot partnership between Dayton Fire and Care Resource Connection that refers frequent 911 users to community-based services.

The pilot, which began referrals in July (preparation started in May), gives firefighters a pathway to refer residents they repeatedly visit to Care Resource Connection, an organization that connects callers to social, medical and long-term supports. Amy (Care Resource Connection) told the council the program logged 347 relevant calls from July through year-end; staff analysis shows referrals averaging two-to-three per week and the city’s fire leadership reported an overall reduction in repeat calls tied to the program.

Council members and staff pressed the presenters on scale and financial implications. Fire Chief Gary (last name not specified) said about 80% of Dayton’s calls are medical and that the pilot reduced repeat-site responses; he and Amy estimated about a 34% reduction among repeat-call addresses that would have been eligible for referrals. Amy said the program’s average reduction across other cities is about 40% year-over-year and that Hopkins and Saint Louis Park reported sustained declines when the model was implemented there.

City staff and council discussed budget consequences. Council Member Henderson asked whether the expected reductions had been incorporated into the 2025 budget; staff said projections were not included in the 2025 budget because the pilot and its effects were still being measured, and recommended revisiting the 2026 budget cycle should the 2025 data show persistent reductions. Councilors and staff agreed the city should track year-to-year results before making structural staffing or capital decisions tied to lower call volume.

Presenters described how the pilot operates: firefighters ask callers if they will accept Outreach referrals; when accepted, Care Resource Connection follows up, performs home visits, coordinates with county social work and health providers, and tracks individuals for up to 120 days with 30/60/90/120-day check-ins. Staff emphasized referrals depend on consent: Outreach cannot force residents to accept services.

Care Resource Connection also identified common call reasons in Dayton (2024 data): pain, breathing problems, cardiac events, falls and general illness. The presenter said many frequent callers lack steady primary care and that, for some seniors and veterans, 911 is their default access to health services. Amy said the pilot helps coordinate transitions (for example, finding skilled nursing/TCU placement) and provides the fire crews with an option beyond repeated emergency dispatches.

Council discussion considered operational detail and next steps: staff will continue to monitor referral counts, repeat-call reductions and cost impacts (including the rough ‘napkin math’ estimate on firefighter labor saved). Council directed staff to return with updated 2025 pilot metrics during the 2026 budget process so the council can evaluate whether to change resource allocations if the reduction trend continues.

The city made no formal action on the program during the meeting; councilors asked staff to track results, consider re‑budgeting if reductions persist, and consider outreach to AARP and other partners named by the presenter for possible funding or program expansion.