Wednesday, 20 August 2025 - East Greenwich Fire Department participated in a specialized program titled “Enhancing Rural EMS Providers’ Response to Behavioral Health Crises.”

The training, made possible through a SAMHSA grant, was led by Rebecca Elsing and Harry Larson of the Rhode Island Medical Reserve Corps and Trauma Response Team.

The course provided strategies and best practices for EMS providers responding to behavioral health emergencies, an increasingly vital skill set in today’s emergency services.

The East Greenwich Fire Department expressed gratitude for the opportunity to strengthen its capabilities, thanking the instructors and program partners for making the training possible. Officials emphasized that the knowledge gained will help firefighters and EMS providers better serve the community during behavioral health crises.