Lexington first-responders implement crisis response program thats focused on mental health [Video]

LEXINGTON, Ky. (FOX 56) — First responders in Lexington are taking a new approach when responding to mental health emergencies.

“What’s the best way to not only respond to these calls, but how do we even process these calls at the dispatch center?” Capt. Seth Lockard, with Lexington Fire Department, said. “You know, are we doing the most effective way to do it?”

The city received an $850,000 grant to start a community-based response team, made up of firefighters, police officers, and social workers.

“There’s a lot of behavioral health, mental health types of calls in our community. One of our weaknesses is that we’re not really trained professionally. The police do have crisis intervention training, which is a little bit advanced, but it’s just not maybe the best resource is the best tool. So, it’s going to be another tool in the toolbox for first responders in Lexington to have at their …