Community Resource EMT (CREMT) – COMPASS Program
Snohomish County Fire District 5 is proud to offer an innovative approach to supporting our community through our Community Resource EMT (CREMT) program, guided by the COMPASS model.
Not every 911 call is best served by a trip to the emergency room. Many situations involve behavioral health challenges, social needs, or resource gaps that require a different kind of response. The CREMT program exists to help connect people to the right care, at the right time, in the right way.
What is the CREMT Program?
The Community Resource EMT (CREMT) is a specially trained EMT who works alongside fire and EMS crews to support calls involving:
- Behavioral health or emotional crisis
- Resource or social service needs
- Individuals who may not require emergency department care
- Situations where alternative options may better serve the person
The CREMT helps crews and individuals navigate complex situations, ensuring care decisions are safe, appropriate, and tailored to the person’s needs.
What is COMPASS?
COMPASS represents the guiding principles of the CREMT program:
- Connect people to appropriate services and support
- Outreach through follow-up and community engagement
- Mitigation of crisis situations in real time
- Pathways that identify the best course of care
- Alternatives to unnecessary emergency department visits
- Stabilize situations to ensure safety
- Support individuals, families, and responders
How It Works
The CREMT may respond directly to 911 calls alongside fire and EMS crews when a situation involves behavioral health concerns or complex resource needs. While on scene, the CREMT:
- Assesses whether emergency medical care is needed
- Supports safe decision-making regarding transport or alternative options
- Helps connect individuals to community-based services and resources
- Provides real-time crisis support when appropriate
In addition to responding to calls, the CREMT also provides follow-up outreach, helping ensure individuals remain connected to the support they need after the initial response.
Program Funding and Partnership
The CREMT program is supported in part through a Behavioral Health Core (BH-Core) Innovation Grant administered by the Washington Health Care Authority. This funding supports innovative, community-based approaches to improving behavioral health crisis response and strengthening connections between emergency services and local care systems. Through this support, SCFD5 is able to pilot and develop a model that expands how fire and EMS agencies can respond to behavioral health needs—focusing on connection, coordination, and appropriate care pathways.
Why This Matters
Traditional emergency response is essential—but not every situation requires emergency department care. The CREMT program helps:
- Reduce unnecessary transports
- Connect individuals to appropriate behavioral health and community services
- Support people during vulnerable moments
- Improve outcomes for both individuals and the community
By expanding the tools available to our responders, SCFD5 is committed to delivering thoughtful, effective, and compassionate service.
A Community-Focused Approach
The CREMT program reflects SCFD5’s commitment to evolving with the needs of our community. Through collaboration, innovation, and care, we are working to ensure that every person we encounter is met with the right response—not just the fastest one.