Monday, November 10, 2025
The Tumwater City Council approved a contract with Olympic Health & Recovery Services to support emergency responders in assisting people experiencing behavioral issues.
The decision, which was made at a city council meeing on Tuesday, Sept. 16, authorizes Mayor Debbie Sullivan to sign the contract.
Under the agreement, the agency will provide a certified crisis clinician and a peer navigator to serve as co-responders with the Tumwater Fire Department.
The team is going to deliver 24-hour crisis response coverage by monitoring dispatches and calls from the fire department, while also being available through 988 — the regional crisis line.
Tumwater Fire Department Chief Brian Hurley said the team is going to spend a fair amount of time with the department, but will also have their own office soon at a building on Lee Street.
In addition, the team will interface with FDCARES, a program that connects 911 callers to resources that emergency responders cannot provide.
Olympic Health & Recovery Services Executive Director John Avalos said he looks forward to the collaboration and hopes to see the same success it has had working with other jurisdictions. The agency has been operating similar programs in Thurston and Mason counties since 2021.
“The ultimate goal of this program is to have the right response at the right time for people in behavioral health crises," Avalos said.
"Ultimately, what it will do is reduce the use of first responder services by having our folks dispatch. They have their own vehicle, they will be able to transport people who are voluntary to whatever resource they might need."
Funding for the partnership comes from a Washington Health Care Authority (HCA) grant. Avalos noted the Tumwater team is one of only two community-based crisis teams in the state to be funded under the program.
The partnership is made possible through House Bill 1134, a 2023 law that directed the HCA to support and fund community-based crisis teams.
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longtimeresident
Good decision....
Thursday, September 18 Report this
HappyOlympian
Well done.
Thursday, September 18 Report this
LindaD
That should help. Good idea.
Friday, September 19 Report this
JulesJames
It would be helpful if "approved a contract" stories included the terms of the contract. How long and how much? Doesn't matter if it is Washington State grant money or the City of Tumwater money, its still taxpayer-funded.
Friday, September 19 Report this