The care unit began operating on Monday, March 28, 2022.  Fire Captain Mike Felts and Terros Health Director of Northern Arizona Crisis Service, Bryan Gest, have prepared a presentation to share an overview of what the unit has experienced since the end of March 2022.  The overview will include the primary presenting issues, client contract frequency, dispatch outcomes, call examples, and information about community partnerships.

The Flagstaff City Council approved the funding and contract with Terros Health for the care unit as part of the City's Alternate Response Program.  This contract began in November 2021 and the unit became operational in March 2022 with the hiring and training of new staff within Terros Health and the Flagstaff Fire Department.  

The care unit team consists of one Flagstaff Fire Department Firefighter/EMT and a Terros Health Behavioral Health Specialist.  The unit is operational Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm.  

The goal of the unit is to provide crisis intervention and mental health stabilization.  The care unit provides proactive outreach and responds to calls for service for substance use, trauma informed, and mental or behavioral health related events. The performance metrics for this unit are a:
1)  Reduction of crisis recidivism and crisis calls for Flagstaff Fire Department and Flagstaff Police Department.
2)  Reduction of the number of arrests, bookings, and prosecutions for alcohol use related offenses including public intoxication, trespassing, public urination, and public menacing. 
3) Reduction in the number of individuals transported to the emergency department for intoxication and detox issue.