September 12, 2025

LANCASTER, OH – Fairfield County has officially launched the Fairfield County Community Crisis Response Team (FCCCRT), a new initiative designed to provide immediate crisis intervention and support following natural and human-made disasters.

The team, comprised of mental health professionals, first responders, educational staff, and victim advocates, will offer critical services such as emotional first aid, education, and crisis intervention. Their focus will be on mitigating the traumatic and lasting consequences of both small-scale and mass-casualty incidents throughout Fairfield County.

The FCCCRT’s Behavioral Health Disaster Preparedness Project is funded through a grant from the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA), , which is administered by the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OMHAS). This funding is aimed at strengthening the county’s behavioral health system’s preparedness for disasters.

Members of the team have been trained by the National Organization for Victim Advocacy (NOVA) in evidence-informed crisis management and trauma mitigation. This specialized training ensures the team is equipped with the best practices to support community members during their most vulnerable moments.

The FCCCRT is currently collaborating with the county’s Emergency Management Agency (EMA) and the Health Department’s Medical Reserve Corps to develop and implement protocols that will enhance the capabilities of these existing response teams. This collaborative effort will create a more cohesive and effective emergency response network for all of Fairfield County.