Program description
Central Kitsap Fire CARES (Community Assistance, Referral, and Education Service) is a partnership between Central Kitsap Fire and the City of Poulsbo that connects people with support and services that meet their individual needs. This program addresses the underlying issues contributing to non-emergent 9-1-1 calls and ED visits by providing education and making referrals to local services. Central Kitsap Fire CARES closely collaborates with and refers to community partners such as:
Kitsap Mental Health Services
Knights of Columbus
Fishline
Kitsap Division of Aging and Long-Term Care
St. Michael Medical Center
Local substance use disorder providers
Local school districts
Read more in Olympic Community of Health's Connecting Community Members to Care report.
Populations of emphasis
Everyone in the fire district is served by this program.
How it works
9-1-1 call triage identifies cases appropriate to refer to Fire CARES
Referrals are received through Julota
Phone call or in-person visit by CARES team paramedic and social worker
CARES team refers individuals to appropriate community resources
Discharge from program after individual needs are met
Data
289 referrals received and 186 people assisted January-June 2023
27 individuals connected to care January-June 2023
19 avoided 9-1-1 calls because of on-scene activity/home visit and 20 times fire crews relieved in the field January-July 2023
Source: City of Poulsbo
Tips for success
Utilize a common data system for referral and data collection.
You can mix and match approaches that will work best for your community. You don’t have to re-invent the wheel. There are many other programs to learn from.
Funding
Braided funding from multiple sources including:
Kitsap County 1/10th
WA Association of Cities Grant administered through the City of Poulsbo
Central Kitsap Fire Department operational support including vehicles, office space, employee time/benefits, administrative support
Contact
Connecting Community Members to Care Report
OCH is honored to share the success of Central Kitsap Fire Rescue CARES and is inspired by their continuing commitment to timely, compassionate care that meets individual needs. Read more about this and other successes in OCH's Connecting Community Members to Care report.