A New Way Columbus Fire Is Helping People During Mental Health Crises

When someone is having a mental health crisis, the way help arrives can make a big difference. Loud sirens, flashing lights, and a traditional ambulance can feel scary—especially for someone who is already overwhelmed.

That’s why the Columbus Division of Fire (CFD) has launched a new mental health response vehicle designed to respond to mental health crises and overdose incidents in a calmer, more supportive way.

This new vehicle is called the Alternative Response Vehicle, and it’s changing how Columbus responds to people in crisis.

What Is Columbus Fire’s Alternative Response Vehicle?

The Alternative Response Vehicle is part of Columbus Fire’s new Outreach Medicine Initiative, which focuses on meeting people where they are—both physically and emotionally.

According to reporting by NBC4 Columbus, the goal of the vehicle is to create a more therapeutic and comfortable environment for people experiencing mental health crises or overdoses.

Emergency officials say this kind of response helps build trust and makes it easier to connect with people during stressful moments.

How This Mental Health Response Vehicle Is Different

Unlike a traditional ambulance, the Alternative Response Vehicle:

• has less emergency medical equipment

• feels less intimidating

• offers more privacy for conversation and assessment

Fire officials say the design allows responders to focus on de-escalation, connection, and care, rather than rushing someone to the emergency room when it may not be needed.

The vehicle also carries snacks, water, and hand warmers. These items may seem small, but they help meet basic needs and can make it easier to start a conversation with someone in distress.

Who Responds to Mental Health Crisis Calls?

When Columbus Fire sends out the Alternative Response Vehicle, the response team includes:

• a firefighter or paramedic

• a police officer

All responders are trained in crisis intervention. The goal is not punishment or enforcement, but safety, calming the situation, and connecting people to help.

This approach supports Columbus’s Right Response Unit, which focuses on sending the most appropriate help for each call.

Outreach Medicine Initiative: A Bigger Mental Health Strategy

This new vehicle brings together two existing outreach programs under the Outreach Medicine Initiative:

1) RREACT: Rapid Response Emergency and Addiction Crisis Team

RREACT supports people who are experiencing substance use crises or overdoses. The team helps by:

• connecting people to addiction treatment

• providing follow-up support

• removing barriers like transportation or paperwork

This work is especially important because the days after an overdose are often when people are most open to help.

2) SPARC: Connecting People to Community Resources

SPARC (Specialized Program Assisting Resource Connectivity) helps connect people to services such as healthcare, housing support, and social resources.

By combining SPARC and RREACT, Columbus Fire can respond not just to emergencies—but to the underlying needs that often cause repeat crisis calls.

Why This Matters for Emergency Rooms in Columbus

Dr. Megan Chabbing, assistant medical director of psychiatric emergency services at OhioHealth, says this mental health response vehicle is an important step forward.

At Riverside Methodist Hospital alone, emergency rooms see about 300 mental health crisis patients each month. While ER staff are always ready to help, emergency departments aren’t always the best setting for every mental health situation.

Sometimes, people do better when they can:

• receive care in their own home

• stay in their community

• avoid an unnecessary ER visit

This program allows mental health specialists and first responders to go to the person, rather than always bringing the person to the hospital.

Reducing Stigma Around Mental Health and Overdose

City leaders say talking openly about mental health crises and overdoses is important because it shows people it’s okay to ask for help.

Columbus’s Alternative Crisis Response system is designed to provide the right support at the right time—without relying only on police or emergency rooms.

More Than One Vehicle: A Shift in Crisis Care

While the new vehicle is exciting, it represents a larger shift in how Columbus handles mental health emergencies.

The city is working toward a system where:

• crisis calls are handled more thoughtfully

• responders are trained in mental health care

• people feel supported instead of scared

• connections to long-term help are stronger

Experts reviewing Columbus’s programs say the city is ahead of many others—but that these services could grow even more with expanded use and funding.

A More Compassionate Response to Mental Health Crises

Mental health crises can happen to anyone. Stress, trauma, addiction, and loss don’t wait for the perfect moment.

By launching this mental health response vehicle, Columbus Fire is taking a meaningful step toward more compassionate, human-centered care.

The message is clear:

• People in crisis deserve dignity, understanding, and real help.

• And sometimes, the most powerful change starts with showing up differently.

Frequently Asked Questions About Columbus Fire’s Mental Health Response Vehicle

• What is Columbus Fire’s Alternative Response Vehicle?

  • It is a new vehicle used by Columbus Fire to respond to mental health crises and overdose calls in a calmer, more therapeutic way.

• Why did Columbus Fire create a mental health response vehicle?

  • The goal is to provide a more comfortable and supportive response and connect people to care without always sending them to the emergency room.

• Who responds in the Alternative Response Vehicle?

  • A firefighter or paramedic and a police officer respond together, all trained in crisis intervention.

• How is this vehicle different from a regular ambulance?

  • It carries less EMS equipment and is designed to feel less intimidating and more focused on conversation and support.

• Does the vehicle include comfort items?

  • Yes. It carries snacks, water, and hand warmers to help meet basic needs and build trust.

• What is the Outreach Medicine Initiative?

  • It is a Columbus Fire program that combines mental health, addiction, and outreach services into one coordinated response.

• What is RREACT?

  • RREACT helps people after overdoses by connecting them to addiction treatment and follow-up support.

• What is SPARC?

  • SPARC connects people to community resources like healthcare, housing support, and social services.

• Can this program reduce emergency room visits?

  • Yes. When safe, it helps people work through crises in their home or community instead of the ER.

• Is this vehicle only used for mental health calls?

  • It is mainly used for mental health crises and overdoses, depending on dispatch and safety needs.

Mental Health Help in Columbus, Ohio

If you’re looking for mental health help in Columbus, Ohio, there are options:

• 911 – for immediate danger or emergencies

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline – call or text 988 for 24/7 emotional support

• Local hospitals and emergency departments

• Community mental health providers and therapists

• Crisis response programs connected to Columbus Fire and public health

If you’re reading this and wondering whether your situation “counts,” it does. If you’re hurting, you deserve help. We have a more detailed list of resources available on our website.