What does the Unit do?
The Team responds to emergency scenes to provide assistance, guidance, referral and grief support to citizens during a crisis or tragedy.
Here are examples of when they are called:
- Fire loss… residential & commercial
- Drownings involving children & adults
- Death notification
- Grief Support
- Homicides
- Domestic violence
- Fatalities involving children & adults
- Suicide involving children & adults
- Mental and/or physical abuse involving children & adults
- Alternative means of transportation to a nearby hospital
Why do we need the Crisis Response Team?
The Team is an asset to firefighters and police officers. Once the team arrives, firefighters and police are able to "go back in service" and respond to the needs of other citizens. The firefighters and police officers go back to work knowing the highly qualified team is meeting the needs of the customers.
Are there other programs like this in existence?
Yes. Crisis intervention teams have been a focus of fire departments throughout the Valley for several years now. Many cities have their own similar teams including: Phoenix, Tempe, Surprise, Sun Lakes, Avondale, Mesa and Buckeye.
How does it work?
1. House is on fire, 911 is called
2. Firefighters arrive to put out the fire and rescue people
3. Firefighters go back to fire station and are ready for the next call.
The person who's home burned is being taken care of by the Crisis Response Team.
4. Crisis Response Team arrives to assist citizens with their needs such as calling insurance company, going to the hospital and finding shelter.
Why does the Glendale Fire Department need such a program?
Last year the Glendale Fire Department responded to more than 32,000 calls for assistance. Many of those calls involved families who were faced with a devastating personal crisis. The Glendale Fire Department is proud of our reputation of providing the highest level of service to our community. We have developed a program specifically designed and modeled to provide assistance to those families who are in need of immediate crisis intervention. It is essential for firefighters to be available 100 percent of the time and ready and able to go to the next call.
The Crisis Response Team focuses specifically on increasing the reliability of each firefighter & police officer by releasing them after the emergency has been resolved and intervention has been identified.
What is the call volume for the C.R. van?
In 2004, the Team responded to 2,251 calls. Based on information from other agencies that also provide crisis intervention in the Valley, the Glendale Fire Crisis Response Program anticipates responding to more than 3,500 calls a year within the next year or two.
What’s the bottom line?
The program is a benefit to the community, the Glendale Fire Department & nearby cities. The program can provide the necessary guidance to make a difference in someone’s life during a very difficult time.
What is CR155?
This unit is a training unit. In service when staffed Sunday through Thursday 1800 hours to 2400 hours (6:00pm through Midnight). We are using this second van to train new volunteers when needed.
What is CR158?
This is our primary crisis response unit. Staffed 24 hours a day 7 days a week. All volunteers use this unit as the primary response vehicle when dispatched in the CAD system.
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