VRT: Community Crisis Response & Support
In the heart of Birmingham, a new chapter began in 2023 with the formation of the Veterans Response Team (VRT) by the Birmingham VA Health Care System.
This initiative, emerging as a beacon of hope, swiftly caught the attention of both VA and community leaders with its expanding and evolving training curriculum.
On Tuesday, Jan. 30, the corridors of power welcomed the VRT. Jefferson County Commissioner Sheila Tyson extended an invitation to these dedicated team members to attend a meeting at the Birmingham City Council, an event under the influential agenda of Mayor Randall Woodfin.
In his opening remarks, didn't just endorse the VRT; Mayor Woodfin passionately advocated for its integration into the city's law enforcement and emergency response framework. His words echoed a strong commitment to supporting Veterans in their times of need.
The mission of the VRT was clear and vital: to forge a crucial link connecting community first responders with a central source of VA-specific resources. This connection was pivotal when encountering Veterans in crisis within the community. The VA dispatch stands ready, with detailed information on crisis services and programs, a lifeline for Veterans in dire situations.
Kelli Arthur, the Community Engagement and Partnership Coordinator, addressed the council next. She outlined the VRT's mission with clarity and conviction: supporting Veterans in crisis, reducing Veteran suicides, enhancing mental health treatment participation, and fostering increased collaboration within the community while supporting local law enforcement agencies.
The VRT's resources were comprehensive, ranging from Suicide Prevention and Mental Health to Homeless and Veterans Justice Outreach Specialists, encompassing Substance Use, Intimate Partner Violence, Peer Support, and LGBTQ+ programs.
Quinton Burrow, the Chief of VA Police for Birmingham VA, viewed the VRT as a pivotal resource in reducing legal troubles for Veterans. He explained the team's role in deescalating crises, ensuring safety for both Veterans and emergency responders. "The VRT acts as a bridge," Burrow stated, "connecting emergency personnel with the VA's dispatch office, enabling them to access resources and, in certain cases, communicate directly with the Veteran to mitigate the crisis and ensure safe transportation to a VA medical facility."
Since forming the VRT, Dispatch has received nearly 45 calls from internal staff and community emergency response. Calls range from issues resulting in homelessness and mental health to jail diversion and threatening behaviors. While not all calls release a person from legal action, the calls have deescalated the use of force.