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Springfield Fire Department to add rescue apparatus to respond to addiction and mental-health 911 calls
Summary
Assistant Fire Chief Julie Plunk said the department will add a rescue apparatus this summer to respond specifically to addiction and mental-health emergencies; Mayor Misty Busher said the city is activating a 'Bolt' apparatus and highlighted Captain Josh Banks' work on a related research project.
Assistant Fire Chief Julie Plunk announced at a promotional ceremony that Springfield will add a rescue apparatus this summer ‘‘that will serve the citizens of Springfield who are struggling with addiction and mental illness.”
"History will be made this summer with the addition of a rescue apparatus that will serve the citizens of Springfield who are struggling with addiction and mental illness," Plunk said, introducing the department's new operational focus.
Mayor Misty Busher, speaking later in the ceremony, said the city is activating a ‘‘Bolt apparatus’’ designed to respond to mental-health and addiction 911 calls. Busher noted Captain Josh Banks’ involvement with a city research team working to identify better ways to serve people who call for help in those crises. "He's been helping with a research project with a team from the city of Springfield to identify how we can better serve those people," Busher said.
The announcements were made as part of a promotional ceremony and were presented as forthcoming operational steps. The ceremony did not include details on budget, staffing changes tied to the apparatus, dispatch protocols, or the exact in-service date beyond the mayor and assistant chief saying it will be added "this summer."
Fire department leaders framed the apparatus as an expansion of response options for callers with behavioral-health needs rather than a replacement for existing medical or ambulance services. The ceremony highlighted collaboration between department personnel and a city research team but did not provide a publicly available report, timeline, or staffing plan at the event.
The department and city spokespersons did not provide additional operational details during the ceremony; officials said more information will be released as the program is finalized. The announcement positions Springfield to broaden how first responders attend to addiction- and mental-health-related emergencies in the months ahead.
