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On this episode of Catalyst, we are joined by Fire Chief Jonathan Killings of the El Paso Fire Department to discuss the department's Mobile Integrated Health (MIH) program—a co-responder initiative that pairs firefighters, paramedics, and mental health professionals to address community challenges beyond traditional emergency response.
Chief Killings shares how the program, born out of the COVID-19 pandemic, tackles issues like high 911 utilizers, behavioral health crises, the unhoused population, and substance abuse by connecting people with the right resources rather than defaulting to an emergency room visit. He details how the program reduced over 6,000 repeat calls for service in a single year, offers career-extending opportunities for veteran medics seeking a different pace, and is sustained through creative funding strategies and strong partnerships with police, mental health authorities, and community organizations. The conversation ties into the CPSE Center for Innovation's strategic scan on co-responder programs, offering practical advice for fire service leaders looking to launch similar initiatives in their own communities.
Guests: Jonathan Killings, Fire Chief of the El Paso Fire Department
