MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) – A Madison couple shares how the Madison Fire Department’s Community Alternative Emergency Response Services (CARES) team assisted a man facing mental health concerns in front of their home. Masu.
This comes after the Common Council discussed expanding CARES services to other cities, although Madison could face budget cuts.
James Wilson and Gregory Humphrey were sitting on the lawn when they saw a young man walk down the block and sit in front of a rock wall.
“I felt like something was wrong,” Humphrey said. “I got up and sat next to him and asked, ‘Is something wrong?’ Is something happening? Is there anything I can do? ‘The first words out of his mouth were, ‘I need help.’ ”
The couple then called a non-emergency number and MPD dispatched two members of the CARES unit.
“We don’t respond with lights and sirens, which can make the situation the patient is already in even worse,” said Lisa Boettcher, director of mobile integrated medicine at MFD.
Meanwhile, Wilson grabbed some Gatorade and chocolate cake to calm the young man down. “He gave me more information about the family and the situation so we could receive more information and pass it on to the people who came to help,” Wilson said.
The CARES Department has specialized training to help people facing mental health issues.
“We want to show compassion to them with patience and empathy, understanding that we are truly concerned about their welfare and well-being,” Boettcher said. “We want the best outcome for them, and we want what the resources are going to be like, like housing and medicine.”
Wilson doesn’t think specific community support should be left entirely to police officers.
“Just like we shouldn’t demand everything from school teachers or any other profession, we’re pushing everything these days,” Wilson said.
MFD says it’s important to look out for each other.
“We appreciate that there are concerned citizens who call 911 when they feel like someone might be in trouble,” Boettcher said.
Humphrey worries that potential budget cuts could lead to this resource being eliminated.
“This is one of those programs that we hope will prioritize and allow policymakers and elected officials to say, ‘This is a real bargain.’” This program works. I saw it with my own eyes,” Humphrey said.
Madison’s CARES team was started about three years ago and operates throughout the city. CARES budget cuts are on the horizon, depending on whether the Nov. 5 referendum passes.
Sun Prairie is the next place Dane County wants to expand CARES services. The resolution was introduced at last week’s County Board meeting. Madison must also approve the deal with Sun Prairie.
Dane County Human Services explains: “Madison will charge Sun Prairie $531 for each CARES response. Dane County will reimburse 70% of these costs up to $200,000.”
A final vote on the resolution will take place next month.
click here Download the WMTV15 News App or the WMTV15 First Alert Weather App.
Copyright 2024 WMTV. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.
