10/30/2026
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1DTXEANXiH/?mibextid=wwXIfr
🚒 **SOUTHBRIDGE FIRE DEPARTMENT LAUNCHES NEW COMMUNITY CARE INITIATIVE**
**BEYOND THE 911 CALL: Helping Residents Get the Right Kind of Help**
The Southbridge Fire Department is proud to announce a new initiative aimed at connecting residents with the care, support, and resources they need beyond a traditional emergency medical response.
Through a review of our EMS call data, Firefighter-Paramedic and ALS Coordinator Michael Struppa identified an important opportunity to better serve residents with recurring emergency medical needs.
📊 **Did you know?** During 2026, approximately **41% of our EMS responses** have involved individuals with recurring EMS needs.
We recognize that not every challenge can be resolved with an ambulance ride or a visit to the emergency department. Sometimes, residents need additional support, ongoing care, or assistance accessing available community services.
❤️ **That's where our new Community Care and Coordination Initiative comes in.**
Working with Jannesa Torres of the Southbridge Community Connections Coalition, a program of Seven Hills Foundation, along with other community partners, we are beginning to connect residents with healthcare providers, behavioral health services, elder services, social services, and other valuable community resources.
**Our mission is simple:**
Help residents receive the **right care, at the right time, in the right setting.**
By taking a more proactive approach, we hope to improve the well-being of our residents while helping keep emergency resources available for those experiencing true emergencies.
🚨 **IMPORTANT REMINDER:** This initiative does not replace emergency medical services. Always call 911 for a medical emergency or when immediate assistance is needed.
This is just the beginning! We look forward to sharing more as this initiative continues to grow.
**Southbridge Fire Department**
*Serving Our Community Beyond the Emergency.* 🚒❤️
