Alternative Response In Public Safety
Optimizing Public Safety Response with Alternative Approaches
Today’s emergency response systems face increasingly complex challenges. Escalating demand and evolving societal needs are placing unprecedented pressure on legacy public safety frameworks, exposing their limitations within a rapidly transforming landscape, or our favorite word ecosystem.
As public safety demands shift, agencies are embracing Alternative Response strategies to improve outcomes, reduce operational strain, and deliver compassionate, effective service to their communities. These models aspire not just to provide different responses—but measurably better ones.
A Tailored and Measurable Approach to Community Safety
Introducing non-traditional response models involves determining the most appropriate resource(s) to respond to non-violent or non-emergency situations. These efforts require a collaborative community-based approach to design a plan that meets the community’s needs. Importantly, these alternative response models are not one-size-fits-all and their success hinges on ongoing measurement, refinement, and accountability.
From concept to maturity, implementing, evaluating, and scaling alternative response programs involves close attention to operational, organizational, and technical complexities and requires careful planning and on-going support. Equally critical is the ability to measure performance and outcomes—so programs not only meet but continually exceed community expectations.
Advancing Alternative Response Solutions
With deep expertise in alternative response, our team helps public-sector agencies design, launch, and optimize programs that are compassionate and measurably effective. Success depends on cross-sector coordination, data-driven planning, and resilient systems—MCP delivers long-term results through proven strategies.
- Program Design & Implementation: We help communities design scalable alternative response programs that reduce 911 and 10-digit call volume, hospital visits, and arrests through optimized staffing, training, and workflows.
- Cross-Sector Collaboration & Policy Development: We bring diverse stakeholders together to develop policies, legislation, and governance that foster coordinated, accountable, and outcome-driven responses.
- Technology Integration & System Optimization: We align emergency technologies and streamline data to help route calls appropriately, reducing system strain and enhancing 911 response effectiveness.
- Impact Assessment & Community Engagement: Using our MAPS framework, we evaluate programs across a continuum and strengthen public trust through culturally responsive community engagement.
- Adaptive Solutions for Complex Challenges: We provide flexible, evidence-based strategies that respond to behavioral health crises, homelessness, and other non-emergency challenges unique to each community.
Expertise Across the Alternative Response Continuum
Review Behavioral Health Crisis Response
Analyze Crisis Call Workflows
Engage Community and Government Partners
Optimize Alternative Response Programs
Develop Model Legislation
Create Policies for Alternative Response
Support 911 in Emergency vs. Non-Emergency Triage
Define Program Performance Metrics
Insights and Client Success
PODCAST: New Podcast Offers Numerous Ideas to Solving the 911 Community’s Staffing Problems
911 centers are facing major staffing and resource challenges. This podcast shares smart, actionable ideas to help agencies adapt and thrive.
- Partner with local schools
- Use alternative response
- Explore consolidation options
Listen now!
NEWS: Mission Critical Partners to Assess Columbus’s Alternative Response Capabilities
MCP is helping Columbus evaluate non-traditional response programs for behavioral health, addiction, and low-acuity calls.
Key focus areas:
- 911 and 988 system coordination
- Programs like RREACT, SPARC, and MCR
- Potential for non-police response units
BLOG: 911 Telecommunicators Need Help and Alternative Responses Are Part of the Solution
911 telecommunicators are overwhelmed—and not every call needs a traditional emergency response. This blog explores smart, scalable solutions that lighten the load and improve outcomes.
- Reroute non-emergency calls
- Automate repetitive workflows
- Use nurse-triage and alternative care
Let’s Talk
How can we support your mission? From design and procurement to building and management, our national team of experts is here to help…because the mission matters.
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