Raytown Fire HELPS

03/19/2024

There is a new medication being distributed to EMS providers in Missouri that could save many people from overdosing. It also could guide people more swiftly on the path to recovery from drug addictions.

03/19/2024

A look at some progressive things we are doing here through the HELPS program at Raytown Fire.

There is a new medication being distributed to EMS providers in Missouri that could save many people from overdosing. It also could guide people more swiftly on the path to recovery from drug addictions.

03/12/2024

Raytown Fire is in Denver to visit the city's process for handling behavioral health incidents and how their unique ways have worked wonders in reducing calls for law enforcement and EMS. Friends, I am not being overly hyped when I say these folks here are trailblazers. The Denver 911 Center, Denver Police, Denver EMS, Denver Public Health, and the state's behavioral health service all are on the same page and making a difference. I am completely impressed! The KC Region needs to take away some of these practices and work together to get to a better way. I was honored to be asked to participate in this site visit, joining me are leaders from all the KC Region's Behavioral Health organizations, Dispatch professionals from KC and Raytown, 988, and KC PD. Great group organized by the Mid America Regional Council (MARC).

03/12/2024

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/JtrgtbLUXD1Wd3RH/?mibextid=oFDknk

03/01/2024

Please help us congratulate our Community Paramedic, Matthew Cushman. He was nominated for and subsequently selected as the recipient of the 2023 CIT Perseverance Achievement Award for the Mid-America CIT Council.

Cushman said: “In 30 years of working as a paramedic, it is these last several years working for the people of this community, for the most vulnerable and voiceless among us, is the most personally and professionally rewarding time spent in my career. I am honored and humbled by this honor and thank the Mid America CIT Council. Additionally, it should not go unnoticed that the fire district’s board and administration had the foresight to appreciate the value of a community paramedic. I am sincerely thankful for that and they gave me this opportunity.”

02/09/2024

I had the pleasure to meet the wonderful people and kids behind Circul KC. I needed a special walker and found this organization. In just a short amount a time they emailed me back great news. What I love about this program is that kids in our area are the driving force behind it. This is a wonderful not for profit agency that is sure to make a great impact moving forward and I am thankful that the Raytown Fire HELPS program can partner with them. Thank you Circul KC

08/23/2023

This dangerous and unprecedented heat wave is expected to continue. Today is another day of widespread 115-120F heat indices with some locally higher values possible. These conditions are expected to persist through at least Thursday. A weak cold front is expected to move through the area on Friday. If the front moves through later in the day on Friday, the excessive heat warning may need to be extended through Friday.

There is a clear and present daily danger with this heat. Additionally, the cumulative effects of multiple days and nights of these temperatures will certainly increase chances for heat related illness and deaths, especially among the infirmed and those without cooling resources. Please check in on your elderly neighbors.

If you have concerns, feel free to reach out to the HELPS program. 816 737 6035. Stay hydrated and avoid extended exposure to the heat.

08/09/2023

Today at Station 53, ReDiscover and leadership from various agencies, including the Community Paramedics from KCFD, Police Departments from Grandview, Lee's Summit, and Raytown, along with Grandview Fire, had the Co-Responder Project Leader's Meeting. This group works closely with the Co-Responders embedded into the communities.

07/31/2023

I am presently in St Charles, Missouri, at the Missouri Mobile Integrated Heathcare Summit at the Missouri EMS Conference. Our work has been noticed and I have been asked to speak on the Department's efforts to impact behavioral health and substance use disorder incidents.

07/20/2023

Honor to have hosted the July MACIT meeting today at Station 51.

05/01/2023

The EMS community pauses to express our heartfelt well wishes for a speedy recovery for our friends at Johnson County Ambulance District involved in a serious and fatal accident. To the friends and family of the patient that died, know the EMS community is heartbroken and that you all will be in our thoughts.

04/13/2023

The Raytown Fire HELPS Program participated in the MIHNet Kick-Off workshop. This networking event is designed to bring Community Paramedic programs together with the insurance industry, state agencies, and Medicare and Medicaid officials.

03/21/2023

Happy World Social Work Day! Social workers deliver more than 6% of mental health treatment in the U.S. We're so thankful for the social workers at ReDiscover and all members of our community who work to build a socially just future.

03/20/2023

Had the pleasure of attending day one of the two day Missouri CIT Conference. The HELPS program partners with behavioral health organizations and law enforcement to help those suffering with mental health conditions or who are in crisis. This training adds to the knowledge base and allows for creative networking in hopes to make a difference down the road.

02/28/2023

If you or your family member has problems with opiates, help is easy to access, and you can start by contacting our HELP program at the Fire District. Fentanyl is a deadly drug being found in a lot of different substances often used in our communities. The HELPS program has NARCAN kits at no cost. Narcan, or Naloxone, is a lifesaving medication that can reverse or block the effects of opiates. For additional information, contact Matthew Cushman at 816 737 6035 or email at matthewc@raytownfire.com

https://realdealonfentanyl.com/

More Americans are dying of drug overdoses than ever before. Why? A synthetic opioid called fentanyl is making drugs even more deadly.

02/25/2023

ReDiscover helps adults, families, and children in need of mental health and substance use services. If you, or someone you know, could benefit from compassionate care provided by mental health professionals who are passionate about people, call us at 816-966-0900.