By MES Dispatch staff
The Briefing
- • The Ogden Fire Department in Utah launched a mobile outreach clinic this week to provide immediate health care to people experiencing homelessness in parks and encampments.
- • The clinic is part of an expanded initiative including medical advocates funded through a state grant to address non‑emergency needs.
- • Ogden Fire Chief Mike Slater said the goal is to give care outside of emergency rooms and reduce unnecessary 911 calls.
- • The effort involves collaboration with homeless service advocates from the Ogden Police Department.
OGDEN, UT — The Ogden Fire Department has launched a mobile outreach clinic to provide on‑site medical care to people experiencing homelessness in public spaces and encampments, officials said.
The initiative, rolled out this week, uses a specialized vehicle staffed by fire personnel and medical advocates to address non‑emergency health needs and connect unsheltered individuals with appropriate care, according to Fire Chief Mike Slater.
The outreach clinic builds on a program started last year that placed medical advocates at the Lantern House homeless shelter through state grant funding to help with triage, medication management and access to health services.
Slater said the goal of the mobile clinic is to meet people where they are and offer preventative care to reduce reliance on emergency rooms and 911 ambulance responses.
The Ogden Police Department also participates in the effort by sending homeless service advocates on outreach missions to support individuals contacted by fire crews.