Spokane Fire Department Cares program

The Spokane Fire Department Cares program is a social work program that helps people who frequently use 911 as a form of healthcare connect to resources that can help alleviate the root cause of their ongoing problems. The program, run by Sarah Foley, utilizes students in EWU's master of social work program to help give them career experience while making the program financially plausible. Clients enter the cares program by referral from firefighters/ EMTs who notice something off when responding to a call then social workers help connect clients to resources like meals on wheels or home care options.

Section:Gallery

Fri., Feb. 5, 2021

CARES staff member Mike Calvert listens to chief Brian Schaeffer speak during a meeting for a new class of social work students in the Spokane Fire Department Cares program on Monday, Feb. 1, 2021 at the SFD campus in Spokane, Wash. The program is staffed by EWU students who are working toward degrees in social work, who help to connect more appropriate longterm resources to those who frequently call 911 for medical assistance. Beyond the help that is provided to individuals, the program aims to be beneficial to the overall community by reducing the number of emergency responses that are dispatched for non-emergency scenarios, thereby freeing up resources and acting as a financially plausible solution that reduces expenses incurred by costly emergency responses.

Libby Kamrowski The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
CARES social work students Christian Slean and Araceli Castaneda listen to fire chief Brian Schaeffer, foreground left, and social response manager Sarah Foley during a meeting Monday for a new class of social work students in the Spokane Fire Department Cares program at the SFD campus in Spokane.

Libby Kamrowski The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
Fire chief Brian Schaeffer speaks during a meeting for a new class of social work students in the Spokane Fire Department CARES program on Monday, Feb. 1, 2021 at the SFD campus in Spokane, Wash. The program is staffed by EWU students who are working toward degrees in social work, who help to connect more appropriate longterm resources to those who frequently call 911 for medical assistance. Beyond the help that is provided to individuals, the program aims to be beneficial to the overall community by reducing the number of emergency responses that are dispatched for non-emergency scenarios, thereby freeing up resources and acting as a financially plausible solution that reduces expenses incurred by costly emergency responses.

Libby Kamrowski The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
Social response manager Sarah Foley speaks during a meeting for a new class of social work students in the Spokane Fire Department CARES program on Monday, Feb. 1, 2021 at the SFD campus in Spokane, Wash. The program is staffed by EWU students who are working toward degrees in social work, who help to connect more appropriate longterm resources to those who frequently call 911 for medical assistance. Beyond the help that is provided to individuals, the program aims to be beneficial to the overall community by reducing the number of emergency responses that are dispatched for non-emergency scenarios, thereby freeing up resources and acting as a financially plausible solution that reduces expenses incurred by costly emergency responses.

Libby Kamrowski The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo