The Tumwater Fire Mobile Outreach Team (MOT) is now providing 24-hour mobile crisis response services within the City of Tumwater. The partnership between Olympic Health & Recovery Services and the City helps meet a critical need for behavioral health and recovery expertise in crisis situations.

The team, which has been operating since the start of the month, will respond to calls that come in through the 24/7 Regional Crisis Line. Community members in need can contact the 24/7 Regional Crisis Line at (360)754-1338 or reach help via the regional 988 crisis line. Tumwater Fire and Police can also request MOT to respond to emergency incidents. 

In addition, MOT will work alongside FD-CARES, a program that connects 911 callers to resources beyond the immediate, life-saving work of first responders.

The mobile outreach team operates using a co-responder model endorsed by the Washington Healthcare Authority, which made the partnership possible with support from the Washington state legislature. The team includes a crisis clinician and peer support staff member.

“The crisis team demonstrates our priority to care for people with compassion and humanity,” said Tumwater Fire Chief, Brian Hurley. 

“The aim of this program is to have the right response at the right time for people in behavioral health crises," said Olympic Health & Recovery Services Director Joe Avalos.

Avalos noted that the program builds on a proven track record in other jurisdictions. Olympic Health & Recovery Services has been operating similar programs in Thurston and Mason Counties since 2021, he said.