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Tumwater taps Olympia FDCARES for nonacute response; part-time Tumwater FD CARES worker to be hired
Summary
City administrator reported Tumwater contracted with the Olympia Fire Department to join its FD CARES program to route nonacute needs away from 911. Interviews for a Tumwater-dedicated FD CARES worker are complete; the position is planned to be 20 hours per week.
At the Feb. 4 council meeting, Administrator Parks reported that the city is participating in the Olympia Fire Department's FD CARES program to provide community assistance and referral services for nonacute needs that otherwise generate emergency 911 responses.
Administrator Parks said the agreement went into effect Jan. 1. Under the program, Tumwater fire crews will refer people with nonurgent needs'such as medication management, home safety issues (smoke detectors or minor repairs), meal deliveries or home medical equipment'to FD CARES staff, who then follow up to connect residents with services.
"The goal of the program is to get the people the specific resources and help they need," Administrator Parks said. Parks told council that the city has already used FD CARES for one frequent 911 caller and that staff completed interviews the day of the meeting for a part-time FD CARES position dedicated to Tumwater, intended to work about 20 hours per week. Parks said the aim is to have the position filled and operating within the next few weeks and that FD CARES staff will train Tumwater Fire Department personnel on referral procedures in the interim.
Parks described the program as a way to reduce reliance on 911 for nonacute concerns while increasing access to targeted community services. The council did not take formal action on the program at the meeting; Parks presented the operational update and hiring timeline.
