Community Health and Safety

The Post-Overdose Response Team aims to connect individuals who have experienced an opioid overdose, or are currently experiencing, or at risk of experiencing opioid use disorder with critical resources and navigation to other services as needed. This team responds in real-time to applicable EMS incidents and is positioned to provide services directly to anyone in the community who is interested.

The Post-Overdose Response Team is online every day of the year from 7am to 7pm and consists of a Peer Support Specialist and a Community Paramedic. The team is mobile throughout Orange County and is prepared to assist directly with a wide array of needs ranging from a caring individual to talk to, access to critical harm reduction resources such as naloxone, direct on-scene treatment of eligible persons with medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) as well as direct transportation to treatment locations and assistance in connecting to treatment providers in the community.

All services provided by the Post-Overdose Response Team are free of charge, non-coercive, individual-focused, and always conducted with emphasis on respect and confidentiality of the individual.

If you are interested in any of these services, please contact us directly or fill out this form (link). If you wish to request further information related to the program, please reach out to use directly by utilizing the information below.

Contact Us

The Community Paramedic program utilizes internal and external referrals from EMS units, local partners, and the community at-large to connect vulnerable individuals with needed services. This program consists of a mobile Community Paramedic and all services provided are offered free of charge.

If you or someone you know is interested in any of the services listed below, please utilize the contacts at the bottom of this page to get in touch with our team.

Stay Up and Active

The Stay Up and Active program, in partnership with the Orange County Department on Aging, offers home assessments, education and resource navigation for individuals aged 55+ who have experienced, or are at risk of falls. Home visits are offered free of charge for any individual aged 55+ who has a previous fall or is worried about falling.

DNR Bracelets

The no-cost DNR bracelet program helps ensure your wishes are honored by creating a digital copy of your DNR and/or MOST form and placing it on a silicone USB bracelet that can be confirmed by first responders within the county.

File of Life

Intended for your refrigerator, the no-cost File of Life magnet documents critical information for first responders, such as allergies, medical history, contact information, etc.

Premise Alerts

A Premise Alert is a way we can store and convey critical information to responders in the event of an emergency at a specific address. We typically accept a Premise Alert for special situations, a few examples being a non-verbal resident, or perhaps a resident with limited mobility. We can add key holders, or family contacts, medication and/or medical condition lists, hidden key or door code information, or even directions if the residence is hard to find. For more information on whether a Premise Alert would be beneficial for your situation, please contact Darren Strickland at dstrickland@orangecountync.gov.

Contact Us

The CARE team is a multidisciplinary unit created through a partnership between Chapel Hill Police Department, Orange County Communications and Orange County EMS.

For more information on the CARE team, please visit the Chapel Hill Police Department website at https://www.townofchapelhill.org/government/departments-services/police/specialty-units/crisis-unit

Outreach and Education

The Community Health and Safety division offers several training and education services to the community including hands-only CPR, naloxone administration, first aid, fall prevention, general 911/EMS information and Stop the Bleed.  

Please utilize our public education request form here if you would like to request or schedule training from our team or contact us directly using the information below: