New response team launched for behavioral health crisis situations in Tumwater

The Tumwater Fire Department launched a new Mobile Outreach Team to provide 24-hour crisis response services, the city announced on Friday, Oct. 10. 

A certified crisis clinician and peer support staff member comprise the team, which will respond to behavioral health crisis situations with the fire department using a co-responder model. 

Olympic Health and Recovery Services (OHRS), a behavioral health agency serving Thurston and Mason counties, staffs the team under a contract with the Tumwater City Council that was approved on Sept. 16.  

The Washington State Health Care Authority funds the partnership, so the city does not have to pay for OHRS services. The agreement runs through Sept. 30, 2027. 

The Mobile Outreach Team will be dispatched through the 24-hour Regional Crisis Line, which the public may contact at (360)754-1338 or the regional 988 crisis line. 

The team is also intended to support the city’s fire and police departments in other emergencies, as well as work alongside the city’s FD-CARES program, which connects 911 callers to resources that emergency responders cannot address.