TULSA, Okla. — Due to the success of Tulsa’s Alternate Response Team, the team has received a $618,000 extension to continue providing services.
Tulsa’s Alternate Response Team was formed as part of the Tulsa Fire Department in 2023 with the goal of reducing the number of people experiencing a mental health crisis.
Tulsa Fire Department leaders said their second-response team responded to 439 911 calls in 2023. The team responds to mental and physical health calls, including drug overdoses.
Tulsa Fire Department officials said the extension will help keep the program going for at least a few more years. 2News went downtown and met up with Travis Boggs, who said an extension is only a matter of time.
“Any help we can give without taking away from emergency medical services or fire departments seems like a valuable thing,” Boggs said.
The funding comes from Walgreens’ Opioid Settlement Fund. It will help pay for supplies and help the team continue to follow up with patients, which Emma Stafford, who also lives downtown, said is the most important part.
“Sometimes people only help them to a point and they need to make sure they follow through,” Stafford said.
The team may also save taxpayer money.
“This unit will save taxpayer money in a variety of ways, from fuel for fire engines to firefighters responding to the scene,” EMS Director Justin Lemery said.
Lemery said the extension will also help the fire department collect data to improve 911 response times.
Stafford said she’s glad her money will continue to go to those in need.
“If I can reach people in this community, that’s what’s important to me,” Stafford said.
Tulsa Fire Department officials said they plan to implement similar second-response programs in other parts of the state.
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