Bloomington — Going beyond the call to action, the city of Bloomington recently added a new resource to make sure residents in their city are taken care of.
“Our goal is to really just improve quality of life,” Shelby Wood said.
Wood and McKenna Terry are trailblazing Bloomington’s Mobile Integrated Healthcare Unit.
The duo is an extension of the fire department, they follow up with residents who may need extra assistance after an emergency call.
“They're (firefighters) running 911 emergency situations," Wood said. "And they're seeing people that need. They show up, they do their jobs. And then they go on to the next emergency, but we know a lot of times you know with patients after the emergencies happened that's really only in the beginning."
From helping people get a hot meal, a shower, mental health services or even finding a social group Wood said taking this job was a no brainer.
“I get to think medically, but then I get to think as a helping professional too, that's different from you know medical,” Wood said.
Terry worked EMS for years, she said it’s nice seeing the other side of patient care.
“I get to see the continuation of care and also what happens to that person," Terry said. "(I get to) follow up, which is awesome, because a lot of times with EMS (emergency services) we don't get that closure on some of our worst calls. It's like we drop them off and that's the end of it for us."
They work with other agencies in the city to connect patients to the care they need.
“Sometimes that's in the home (and) sometimes that's on the street, but we get to meet them where their need is,” Wood said.
The city of Bloomington is hiring two more Mobile Integrated Healthcare workers.
There are multiple Mobile Integrated Healthcare units across the state. The full map can be viewed at the bottom of the page linked here.
If you live in Bloomington and think you or a loved one could benefit from this service, you can call the fire department headquarters at (812) 332-9763 to connect with their team.
-
TrumpRX offering discounts on prescription drugs: What it means for Hoosiers
The Trump administration has launched an online tool it says will significantly lower prescription drug costs for some Americans. WRTV talked to a local expert about what this could mean for Hoosiers.
Noblesville hosts USA Gymnastics event ahead of 2028 headquarters move
Noblesville welcomed Olympic hopefuls and gymnastics champions to The Arena at Innovation Mile, offering a preview of what's to come when USA Gymnastics establishes its new headquarters in the city.
IMPD arrests juvenile, reviews officer conduct after viral video
The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department is reviewing an officer's conduct after a video of a traffic stop involving a juvenile circulated on social media.
IFD battles large church fire in Beech Grove
Indianapolis Fire Department crews fought a large fire at Independent Nazarene Church Friday night into Saturday morning, requiring 84 firefighters and five hours to extinguish.
