CARES

CARES: Community Alternative Response for Emergency Services

CARES is an alternative emergency response program within the Saint Paul Fire Department. The team is staffed by two Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) who specialize in responding to behavioral health concerns, lower-acuity medical needs, and situations where a more supportive, relationship-based response is most appropriate.

A Different Kind of Emergency Response

CARES was created to support residents whose needs do not always fit within traditional emergency response, healthcare, behavioral health, or social service systems.

Many of the people CARES serves may need:

• More time and attention than a standard 911 response allows
• Follow-up care and continued engagement
• Coordination between multiple service providers
• Trust-building and ongoing support

CARES helps bridge these gaps by meeting people where they are, identifying barriers to care, and connecting them with the most appropriate services and resources.

Types of Calls CARES Responds To

The CARES Team responds to four primary categories of calls:

• Behavioral health emergencies
• Person-down calls
• Basic Life Support (BLS) medical calls
• Interfacility transports

Beyond 911 Response

CARES work extends far beyond emergency calls.

Team members regularly provide proactive outreach across the community, including:

• Unsheltered encampments
• Community service providers and partner organizations

They also follow up with residents who frequently call 911 for:

• Falls or lift assists
• Behavioral health concerns
• Other recurring medical or social needs

These follow-ups help CARES better understand what is driving repeated emergency calls and create pathways to longer-term support and stability.

Building Trust Through Relationships

At the core of the CARES model is relationship-building.

Team members intentionally engage residents:

• During moments of crisis
• And during times of stability and wellness

By building trust over time, CARES is often able to:

• Reach residents earlier, before crises escalate
• Provide basic medical support in the field
• Help individuals navigate complex systems of care
• Reduce reliance on emergency services for ongoing needs

Coordinated Community Care

CARES works closely with a wide network of community partners, including:

• Outreach teams
• Healthcare providers
• Behavioral health professionals
• Housing organizations
• Shelters and social service agencies

By strengthening these connections, CARES helps coordinate care across systems and ensures residents are not navigating complex challenges alone. Rather than working in isolation, CARES often serves as a bridge between residents and the broader network of support services.

Community-First Public Safety

This approach reflects Saint Paul’s Community-First Public Safety framework:

• Meeting people where they are
• Treating every resident with dignity and compassion
• Matching each situation with the most appropriate response

For many residents, CARES is the first step toward:

• Medical care
• Behavioral health support
• Housing resources
• Long-term stability and connection to services