L.A. County and city are reportedly creating a new pilot program aimed at providing response vans that will have specially trained teams to deal with those experiencing mental health crisis.
Each of the 5 county districts will have their teams, the report adds.
L.A. County officials announced the year-long pilot program, and according to the report, it will be called The Therapeutic Transportation Pilot Program. The program will be staffed with teams from the county’s Department of Mental Health for 24/7 responses to calls coming in at five Los Angeles city fire stations, including Station 36 in San Pedro.
Officials added that the vans will be in place by January. Officials added this rollout is to provide “something more humane” and more effective in finding the right kind of help.
Under state law, officials added, those having such a crisis must be transported to an emergency room.
The teams will reportedly consist of trained responders who are experienced at dealing with mental health crises and can provide transportation to a specialized facility. The teams will be able to determine if a person is in need of more short-term stabilization or needs a longer-term treatment facility.
The Daily Breeze reports that the following Los Angeles Fire Department stations will get vans for one yea:
- Fire Station 4, Central Bureau, 450 E. Temple St.
- Fire Station 64, 10811 S. Main St.
- Fire Station 62 West, 11970 Venice Ave.
- Fire Station 36 South, 1005 N. Gaffey St., in San Pedro
- Fire Station 77 Valley, 9224 Sunland Blvd., in Sun Valley.
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