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Hollywood Fire Rescue unveils Mobile Integrated Health program to link overdose, behavioral‑health callers to care
Summary
Fire Rescue described a county‑sponsored Mobile Integrated Health program (MIH) focused on opioid and behavioral‑health hotspots. The program uses a county grant and opioid settlement funds, employs social workers and paramedic follow‑up, and reported early success with dozens of referrals and completed cases.
Hollywood Fire Rescue and Beach Safety presented a new Mobile Integrated Health (MIH) program that pairs fire/EMS personnel with social workers and local treatment partners to follow up on overdose, behavioral‑health and other high‑need 911 callers and connect them with ongoing care.
Chief Russo and EMS Division Chief Diana D'Abru described MIH as a patient‑centered, multidisciplinary outreach and follow‑up program funded by a Broward Behavioral Health Committee award tied to opioid settlement money. The program is designed to prevent repeat emergency use and improve continuity of care through in‑home or mobile outreach, care coordination and linkages to treatment and social resources.
D'Abru said the city has received 120 referrals into MIH since a social‑worker hire in September, completed 48 cases and has roughly 74 current cases pending under review. The program also recently added paramedic follow‑up detail to expand outreach. D'Abru highlighted examples of successful interventions, including arranging housing and medical follow‑up for veterans, helping residents with wheelchair needs and connecting a caller to addiction treatment and ongoing case management.
The chiefs emphasized the program is not only a health intervention but a public‑safety and morale improvement for staff: “This program is probably one of the most valuable initiatives I’ve ever seen in my career,” Chief Russo said. Staff described partnerships with Memorial Regional Hospital, local social‑service providers (Robin Foundation, South Florida Wellness) and county behavioral‑health teams.
Why it matters: The MIH model addresses repeat 911 use and life‑threatening overdoses by treating the underlying behavioral‑health and social‑service needs outside of the emergency‑response model. Staff said early data show the program is connecting people to care and reducing repeat crises.
Discussion vs. decision: The presentation was informational; commissioners and the manager praised the program and asked staff to continue coordination with partner agencies. No formal action was required.
