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Sunday, May 18th - 3:54 AM |
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67°F |
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Community Assistance RESponse Team
Who is C.A.R.E.S.? The C.A.R.E.S. Team responds along with the Spokane Fire Department. We are made up of a team of MSW (Master in Social Work) students from Eastern Washington University. Other community volunteers will join the team in the future.
Team members are trained in basic Crisis Intervention theories and skills, vicarious trauma, community agencies, diversity, etc.
What is the purpose of C.A.R.E.S.? While Fire personnel assist with medical and fire emergencies, the team helps with the emotional and practical needs of the Fire Department’s customers. C.A.R.E.S. is there for immediate crisis intervention and referrals to community agencies.
C.A.R.E.S. also responds to referrals from the Department of people who repeatedly call 9-1-1. The team assists these people with EMS and 911 education. C.A.R.E.S. also gives referrals to community resources to better meet their needs and get them out of constant crisis. The Team connects customers to existing resources that they may not know about. They also assist people who are in such a state of crisis they struggle to figure out the next step.
The C.A.R.E.S. Team carries a limited supply of:
- Blankets
- Food
- Infant necessities
- Basic hygiene items
- Comfort items for children
- Informational pamphlets on grief, depression, trauma, sexual assault, 24hr crisis info, community agencies, etc.
The Team is often dispatched when SFD fire apparatus are. C.A.R.E.S. are the first social service team to respond to a call. C.A.R.E.S. does not replace current services such as Spokane Mental Health Crisis Response Team or the Red Cross. Rather, the C.A.R.E.S. Team assists customers until those teams are able get to the scene. C.A.R.E.S. also assists customers that are not in need of these services. C.A.R.E.S. refers to outside agencies so people can get their needs met.
For more information about the Community Assistance RESponse team, please contact us at sfdcares@spokanefire.org or call 625-7035.
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