Police and fire describe "situation table" partnerships for people in crisis

During the budget workshop, Police Chief Ryan Duffy and the fire department speaker described the city’s approach to recurring crises through a cross‑agency "situation table." The model brings social‑service partners together to discuss individuals who generate repeated emergency calls and to coordinate wraparound services rather than repeated emergency transports.

"It brings the services local services together, regularly to discuss specific people who may be in crisis," Duffy said, explaining that partners include Newport County Mental Health, Family Services Rhode Island and an embedded Go team member who rides with officers. Fire department staff described analysis showing roughly 900 calls concentrated among about 11 individuals in an 18‑month span, which helped prompt the coordinated approach.

Councilors asked how follow‑up works and whether the partnerships are contractual. Presenters said relationships are typically memoranda of understanding rather than paid contracts; they noted the challenge that some people decline services and that success depends on timely follow‑up when individuals are ready to accept help.

Officials also discussed warming‑center coordination and said community partners led operations this past winter with limited direct city funding; staff plan follow‑up planning meetings for next winter to address capacity and safety concerns.