Council approves emergency contract for Beacon mobile crisis unit with Memorial Behavioral Health

The Springfield City Council on July 7 approved Ordinance 2026‑345 on emergency passage, authorizing RFP FD‑27‑11 with Memorial Behavioral Health for $160,212.94 and a supplemental appropriation from the opioid settlement restricted fund to support personnel services for the Beacon mobile crisis apparatus.

Fire and police officials described the program as a co‑response model: a Springfield Fire Department ambulance or apparatus will be staffed by paramedics and will have a Memorial Behavioral Health mobile crisis clinician ride along during key hours and be available by phone otherwise. Memorial Behavioral Health said the contract will provide one full‑time equivalent clinician assigned to the apparatus (backfilled as needed) drawn from a mobile crisis team of master's‑level and licensed clinicians with crisis and trauma‑informed training.

"We have 1 FTE… probably going to be either 1 or 2 clinicians that'll be specifically doing those shifts," a Memorial Behavioral Health representative said, adding that clinicians will also be available through the organization's broader 24/7 mobile crisis response capacity. City officials said the goal is to provide wrap‑around care in the field — stabilizing an individual, offering resources, and reducing avoidable emergency‑room transports.

Councilors emphasized the funding source: the appropriation comes from opioid settlement restricted funds. The ordinance passed on emergency roll‑call 10‑0.

Officials said the Beacon apparatus will be deployed for 911 calls involving mental‑health crises and suspected overdoses and that staff will not only provide short‑term stabilization but also help connect people to ongoing services.

The council directed staff to return with implementation details and metrics so the city can evaluate effectiveness and community impact.