(TNS) — A new University of Washington center is seeking to fill a training void for frontline responders in fire departments, better equipping them to respond to mental health and substance use calls.
Behavioral Health Crisis Outreach Response and Education (BHCore), run by the UW School of Social Work , held its first training Friday for firefighters and emergency medical services staff from nine fire departments across the state.
Mental health and substance use calls have become a large portion of fire departments’ work. Many cities and counties across Washington are also growing alternative response programs that send mental health professionals to respond to mental health crises with, or instead of, first responders…