Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
- The Ogden Fire Department introduced a homeless medical advocate to address nonemergency 911 calls.
- The advocate will assist with minor medical issues and help obtain Medicaid or Medicare.
- This initiative aims to reduce emergency room burdens and is funded by a state grant.
OGDEN — The Ogden Fire Department is typically busy on the weekend. But surprisingly, most of its calls have nothing to do with fires. According to Deputy Chief Mike Slater, approximately 80% of the calls are medical related.
"Yeah, about 80% of what we do is medical related, you know?" said Slater.
Adding paramedic skills to the firefighting part of the job is something Slater is proud of with his department.
"All our firefighters are EMTs. They're paramedics, and they can dual function, which has been a huge blessing," Slater added.
Ogden fire's homeless medical advocate
Now, one person in the Ogden Fire Department has another skill, homeless medical advocate.
It's a brand-new position within the fire department. It's designed to address the high number of 911 calls from the city's homeless shelter and other areas where the homeless gather, many of which are not actual emergencies.
"We're problem solvers. So, we want to recognize an issue and we want to fix that issue," Slater explained.
The new advocate will focus on treating minor medical issues among the homeless.
"You have a wound that needs to be taken care of, you need antibiotics, you just need a ride to a clinic, how can I help you? You need help getting your Medicaid or your Medicare, how can I help you?" said Slater.
The advocate will also assist with obtaining Medicaid or Medicare.
A homeless medical advocate 'reduces burdens'
Slater believes this initiative will reduce the burden on emergency rooms and decrease the number of nonemergency 911 calls.
While police departments have similar advocate positions, Slater believes Ogden is the first fire department in Utah to implement such a role, funded by a state grant.
The position was filled just a few days ago, and the new hire will undergo a month of training at the fire station and the shelter.
The department is optimistic this advocate will make a significant positive impact on the community.
"I hope that people get to know this program and I hope a year from now when we walk down to the homeless shelter, people will say great things about our advocate program," said Slater. "We wanted to meet our unsheltered population where they are and have compassion with them."
