TL;DR (generated · confidence: high)

Portland Fire & Rescue launched CHAT in 2021 with CareOregon to address low-acuity medical calls through field treatment by nurses, paramedics, and EMTs. The program diverts non-emergency patients from emergency departments and ambulances, includes an Overdose Response Team and MOUD pilot, and conducts 24-hour follow-up for healthcare navigation. Funding shifted in FY24/25 from full CareOregon grants to member-specific earmarks; the City supplemented with one-time opioid settlement and general funds to maintain 4-day service levels.

Key points (each cites a PDF page):

CHAT initiated in 2021 by Portland Fire & Rescue in partnership with CareOregon to address low-acuity medical calls with nurses, paramedics, and EMTs. (p. 1137)
Program treats patients in the field to minimize unnecessary emergency department and ambulance transports. (p. 1137)
CHAT includes Overdose Response Team (ORT) for higher-acuity substance use calls and Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) Pilot Program. (p. 1137)
Follow-up team conducts 24-hour post-call reassessments and provides education about healthcare alternatives. (p. 1137)
In FY22/23–FY24, CareOregon provided grant funding; in FY24/25, CareOregon transitioned to member-specific earmarks only. (p. 1137)
In FY24/25, City contributed one-time opioid settlement funds and general fund monies at CareOregon's request to maintain 4-day response level of service. (p. 1137)
Program performance tracked via 13 metrics including ED diversion, ambulance transport diversion, ORT call volume, MOUD referrals, housing placements, and response times. (p. 1137)

📋 Community Health Assess and Treat (CHAT) · Overdose Response Team (ORT) · Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) Pilot Program · Follow Up Team · 🏛️ Portland Fire & Rescue · CareOregon

History

Source: PDF p. 1137 · raw: 1137

Breadcrumb: 5 ps › PSR-and-CHAT-2025-Budget-Note-Memo › Response memo to FY2025 Budget Note: Direction to Develop Programmatic Mission, Scope, and Staffing Model for Portland Street Response & Community Health Assess and Treat › Appendix 2: Community Health Assess and Treat (CHAT) › History

Educate the community on appropriate resources and alternatives to 9-1-1 for non- emergent healthcare needs. PERFORMANCE M ETRICS
Emergency department (ED) diversion
Ambulance transport diversion
Overdose Response Team (ORT) call volume
ORT ED diversion
ORT ambulance transport diversion
Medication for opioid use (MOUD) referrals
Engagement numbers for Follow Up Team
Housing referrals
SRV/TASS placements
Housing placements (temp and perm)
PCP appointments made
Turnout/response/on-scene times
Co-response requests HISTORY Portland Fire & Rescue initiated CHAT in 2021 in partnership with CareOregon. It addresses low-acuity medical calls that would otherwise fall to firefighters or emergency rooms. With a team comprised of nurses, paramedics and emergency medical technicians, CHAT focuses on treating individuals in the field at the location of immediate need. This minimizes unnecessary 5 transports to overwhelmed emergency departments, addressing the immediate medical need and redirecting clients away from ambulances and emergency departments to a provider or clinic and coordinating access to healthcare. CHAT also addresses higher acuity substance use calls with their Overdose Response Team and Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) Pilot Program. Additionally, CHAT follows up with individuals within 24 hours after the 911 call to reassess if their needs were met and provide education about healthcare alternatives while navigating health-related social needs to promote independence. B UDGET C ONTEXT In FY22/23, Portland Fire & Rescue received a grant for CareOregon to fund the Community Health Assess and Treat program. Grant funding was expanded in FY23/24 and continued into FY24. In FY24/25, CareOregon transitioned from funding the program in its entirety to earmarking ongoing funding for the patients CHAT serves that are CareOregon members. In FY 24/25 at the request of CareOregon the City contributed Opioid settlement funds and general fund on a one-time basis to continue the 4-day response level of service. 5 See e.g. “Level Zero.” Portland man died waiting 32 minutes for ambulance - oregonlive.com; More and More Often, No Ambulance Is Available When Portlanders Call 911 for Medical Help; Portland 911: These are the worst times to call for an ambulance | kgw.com.

Parent: Appendix 2: Community Health Assess and Treat (CHAT) · PDF: p. 1137