A proposed new approach to responding to mental health and other lower-risk crisis calls in Winnipeg is moving closer to implementation, with Executive Policy Committee approving a plan today to establish the Winnipeg Community Crisis Response model as the City’s framework for diverting appropriate crisis calls to community-based responders.
The proposal would create a new pathway for appropriate 911 calls that do not require police, fire or emergency medical intervention, connecting people instead with trained community-based crisis responders.
An independent review commissioned by the City identified more than 10,000 crisis-related police and Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service calls each year that may be better suited to an alternative community response.
Winnipeg is already seeing the potential of this approach through the strong relationship between the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service and Downtown Community Safety Partnership.
Between July and September 14, 647 calls were dispatched through the shared system involving WFPS and DCSP, including 493 originating through 911. There were 260 dispatches in July, 296 in August and 91 during the first two weeks of September.
A change to dispatch protocols in mid-July expanded the circumstances in which appropriate lower-acuity calls could be directed to DCSP, contributing to the higher dispatch numbers.
“The idea is pretty simple: get the right response to the right call,” said Mayor Scott Gillingham. “The partnership between WFPS and DCSP is already showing what can happen when emergency services and community responders work together. Hundreds of calls this summer have been matched with a community response, helping people get the support they need while keeping emergency resources available for the calls that need them most.”
“DCSP has built significant expertise responding to people in difficult situations with a community-based approach. The Community Crisis Response model gives us an opportunity to build on partnerships like this and create a coordinated system that works across Winnipeg.”
The proposed Winnipeg Community Crisis Response model would establish a citywide system for identifying eligible calls and connecting them with community-based responders equipped to provide crisis intervention, de-escalation, stabilization and connections to additional supports.
Calls involving immediate threats to safety or requiring police, fire or emergency medical intervention would continue to receive the appropriate emergency response.
The proposal will now proceed to City Council for final approval.