Report urges Winnipeg to set up fourth emergency service for mental health calls

By Brittany Hobson Thousands of calls could be diverted from Winnipeg’s emergency services with the development of a fourth response model dedicated to handling mental health crises, says a report. Police, fire and paramedic services are the current response options when someone dials 911. The report, initiated last year by Mayor Scott Gillingham and released Tuesday, proposes that the city work with Indigenous organizations, community agencies, health-care providers and emergency services to determine who’s best to respond to a call. “If we keep responding the same way we have been responding…