SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – BEACON is a different kind of ambulance. It responds to mental health crises in Springfield, and fire chief Nick Zummo (pictured) said Tuesday night it made six runs in its first day alone.
BEACON stands for Bridging Emergency and Community Outreach Network. Mental health professionals will be on duty 24/7 to staff the BEACON along with first responders.
“It’ll be dispatched based on (emergency medical dispatch) codes that Sangamon County 9-1-1 has,” said Zummo. “As the dispatcher is talking to the person who called 9-1-1, by the way they answer the questions will determine whether this apparatus is sent.”
So BEACON is for situations in which someone may hurt themselves or others, as opposed to someone simply having a bad day?
“I would rather they call than not, because that bad day can spiral. If you’re ever in a crisis, it’s better to call than not.”
Opioid settlement funds are paying for the program. Zummo says it’s possible additional BEACONs could be added, depending on how much the first one is used.
