Bay City News Service
The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors Tuesday approved a new program designed to specifically train a small group of paramedics on how to assist individuals having behavioral emergencies stemming from drugs, alcohol, mental illness or other various factors.
The San Mateo County Mental Health Assessment and Referral team, SMART, is a joint effort that was created by the San Mateo County Health Department and the American Medical Response West.
Specially trained paramedics will respond to ‘code two’ incidents involving individuals with various non-violent behavioral problems, according to Emergency Medical Services Administrator Barbara Pletz.
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