A proposed new mental health and addictions crisis response model could provide a more appropriate response to more than 10,000 calls each year, while freeing Winnipeg police, fire and paramedic resources to respond to other priorities.
Mayor Scott Gillingham today released the Winnipeg Community Crisis Response Model, an independent report recommending the establishment of a fourth crisis response pathway operating alongside police, fire and paramedic services.
The report identifies approximately 3,855 Winnipeg Police Service calls – comprising nearly 8,000 hours of officer time – and 6,356 Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service calls each year that may be appropriate for a community-based response.
“There are thousands of calls every year where someone needs help, but may not need a police officer, fire crew, or ambulance,” said Mayor Gillingham. “This model would help us send the right response, from the right provider, at the right time, giving people more appropriate support while allowing emergency responders to focus on the urgent calls that require their specialized skills.”
Building on existing services
The model builds on the strengths of organizations already serving Winnipeggers every day, including Indigenous organizations, community agencies, healthcare providers and emergency services. The opportunity is to connect those strengths more effectively, create clearer pathways between 911 and community-based services, and improve coordination.
Under the proposed model, eligible non-emergency 911 calls would be referred to a centralized Community Crisis Dispatch and Coordination Hub. The Hub would dispatch designated mobile community teams to provide on-site de-escalation, stabilization, navigation, and short-term follow-up care.
The model is designed to improve outcomes for people in crisis by connecting them with appropriate care earlier, while strengthening the overall crisis response system for everyone in Winnipeg.
Calls involving violence, criminal activity, medical emergencies, immediate safety risks or the need for involuntary intervention would continue to receive an emergency or specialized co-response like ARCC (Alternative Response to Citizens in Crisis).
Continued provincial collaboration
Gillingham said the proposal is a natural evolution of the collaboration already underway between the City, the Province of Manitoba and community partners.
“The Province and City have made significant and important investments in homelessness, mental health, addictions and community safety,” said Gillingham. “That includes support for the Downtown Community Safety Partnership, Siloam Mission and other outreach and community organizations, as well as the Your Way Home strategy.”
“A fourth response builds on that progress by helping governments, emergency services, healthcare providers and community organizations work together even more effectively,” he added.
Next steps
In September, Mayor Gillingham will ask City Council to endorse the report’s recommendations and formally request the Province of Manitoba to partner with the City to develop an implementation plan through a Municipal-Provincial Partnership Framework.
The Winnipeg Community Crisis Response Model was developed by Dr. Maria Cotroneo at the request of the Mayor’s Office. Multiple stakeholders were engaged in the development of the model, including Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata Centre, The Link Youth and Family Supports, N'Dinawemak – Our Relatives' Place, Peer Connections Manitoba, The Downtown Community Safety Partnership, Winnipeg Police Service, Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service, the Winnipeg Community Safety Team and many others.