Community Outreach, Assistance Program Launched By Milton Fire

MILTON, GA — On Dec. 1, the Milton Fire-Rescue Department introduced Milton Fire CARES (Community Advocates for Referral and Education Services), an outreach and assistance program that strives to bridge the gap between emergency care and everyday health care needs.

Firefighters and other first responders frequently respond to incidents where needs are identified that are outside their typical scope of responsibilities: a frequent fall patient who would benefit from grab bars; someone overwhelmed by caring for their ailing family member alone; a recurring patient who needs regular health check-ins to prevent emergency calls.

In cases like these, first responders can notify the Milton Fire CARES team for intervention. The CARES mobile integrated health unit of firefighter-paramedics will support these citizens through in-home visits and health assessments to help identify their needs and connect them to community resources that will better meet those needs than a call to 911.

“One of the goals of the program is to proactively reach our vulnerable population,” Milton Fire Chief Gabe Benmoussa said. “Milton Fire CARES hopes to expand into fully servicing the growing elderly population and any portion of the Milton community with special medical or social service needs. This service is an innovative way to reach residents in the community outside of the 911 emergency system.”

Milton’s elderly community is growing, with more than 10 percent of the city’s population over the age of 65, while almost 40 percent of all EMS calls in Milton are for patients 65 or older. While they are a main target for the CARES program, the objective is to improve quality of life for the citizens of Milton and to provide a service that serves not only the elderly population but anyone in need of integrated healthcare services. The CARES team will reach the community through healthcare education and community health services, like the COVID-19 vaccine and flu shot clinics held at Community Place on multiple occasions.

CARES overseen by Captain Mark Haskins, the Department’s new Medical Services Officer. Haskins previously served as a fire captain on Engine 41.

“What we want to do is reduce 911 calls and emergency room visits to the true emergencies,” Haskins said. “Through prevention, we hope to improve overall medical outcomes in Milton.”

Milton Fire-Rescue is already at the forefront of fire-medical care – all Milton fire apparatus are equipped to provide advanced life support, including being staffed with at least one paramedic, and all Milton firefighters are either paramedics or EMTs.

“With CARES, we want to add a value-added service to the citizens of Milton – a service that goes beyond what a typical fire department can offer,” Haskins said.

Members of the community can sign up themselves or family members, or they can be referred by first responders or medical professionals who believe they could benefit from CARES. To register yourself or a family member for Milton Fire CARES, go online to learn more and click on the form.