In 2018, 42 percent of medical calls received by the Seattle Fire Department were deemed non-emergency and were related to homelessness, mental health, social needs, drug and alcohol use and chronic medical issues. These are healthcare needs that a typical emergency medical response unit is not well equipped to address. Now, a specially trained team of firefighters and civilian specialists will help people with non-emergency 9-1-1 requests like substance abuse, non-emergency medical issues and a need to access services. The Health One team will operate from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Thursday, responding to calls in the downtown core and adjacent neighborhoods.
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