In Salem, Oregon, a dedicated team known as the REACH Team is making strides in addressing homelessness and crises on the city’s streets. This initiative, which stands for Rapid Engagement, Assessment, and Community Health, was launched in January as a six-month pilot program managed by the Salem Fire Department in partnership with Marion County’s health department. The team comprises a paramedic, an EMT, and a mental health specialist, and it aims to connect the city’s unhoused population with necessary services while alleviating the burden on emergency responders.
Local Response to a Growing Need
The REACH Team was formed in response to Salem residents’ calls for city officials to prioritize homelessness. The team collaborates with various partners, including the Salem Police Department’s Homeless Services Team and the ARCHES shelter, to offer services and care for medical needs. The initiative is part of a broader effort to expand existing teams working with Salem’s unhoused and to foster new collaborations with community partners on public safety.
Salem Fire Chief David Gerboth, who proposed the project based on a similar program he oversaw in San Diego, emphasized the team’s goal of engaging with individuals before they require critical or emergency care. By connecting them to services, the team seeks to break the cycle of repeated emergency calls and address the overlapping needs of mental health and medical care.
Building Trust and Providing Support
The REACH Team operates from fire stations in downtown and east Salem, focusing on areas that generate most emergency calls. Their work involves responding to behavioral health crises and medical calls, often in collaboration with other emergency responders. The team is dispatched to 911 calls or contacted by responders already at a scene who need assistance with mental health situations.
One of the team’s key strategies is building trust with individuals on the streets. Mental health specialist Nate Okada often leads interactions, using his experience to offer encouragement and empathy. The team prioritizes quality over quantity in their outreach efforts, ensuring that their interventions are effective and meaningful.
City leaders are now proposing to extend the REACH Team’s pilot for another year, with plans to increase funding to support their continued efforts. The initiative highlights the importance of local solutions in addressing complex social issues, demonstrating a commitment to community health and safety.
Original reporting: Salem Reporter — read the source article.
