An emergency response program in Lexington now has a new home.

This morning, the city cut the ribbon on the new offices for the Community Medicine program.

The program was launched to reduce the number of non-emergency and mental health and substance use calls to emergency responders.

It has three units made up of firefighters, paramedics, police officers, social workers, peer support and trauma specialists.

The city says the goal of the program is to not only be reactive, but proactive as well.

Community peer medicine has strengthened the department's efforts, improved patient outcomes and reduced the burden on frontline apparatus like emergency medical vehicles.

As a mayor who is also a registered nurse, I have been a big supporter of community paramedic.

I have seen what it can can do in our community.

We've greatly expanded the program, which began in 2018.

It now addresses the unique needs of those struggling with substance use, behavioral health issues, or chronic system involvement.

It delivers care that's proactive, not just reactive.

By embracing the community peer medicine model.

This organization and our community have added the ability to provide proactive service.

Meeting community needs before they become emergencies.

This team has been able to adapt to the needs of the community.

They also provide an integral link to our community's substance use response.

Through their Quick Response Team and have recently launched a community Crisis Response Team to provide additional support to those suffering from behavioral health emergencies.

We've got three teams that you know, they work together every single day just helping people that are in need, right.

Because the hospital is not always the perfect place for somebody.

Sometimes we just need to go there and figure it out and that's what we do.

You just go to where they are and help them.

According to the city, last year, the program's quick response team did more than 700 overdose follow ups.

And since February of this year, its crisis response team has intervened in more than 500 psychiatric related calls.