About CARE

Overview

The Community Assisted Response and Engagement (CARE) department is Seattle’s third branch of public safety, established in October 2023 by Mayor Bruce Harrell, alongside the Seattle Police Department and the Seattle Fire Department.

The Seattle CARE Department operates the 9-1-1 Communications Center and the Community Crisis Responder (CCR) Team. The 9-1-1 Communications Center initially screens all incoming 9-1-1 calls within the City of Seattle and oversees public safety radio dispatching of Seattle Police Department (SPD) personnel and CARE CCRs. The 9-1-1 Communications Center is also responsible for answering the City of Seattle non-emergency line at (206) 625-5011.

The Seattle Fire Department (SFD) Fire Alarm Center (FAC) operates as a secondary Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) to the 9-1-1 Communications Center, from which FAC receives transfers of 9-1-1 calls, to handle all requests for fire response and emergency medical services (EMS) in Seattle. The FAC also serves as a backup location for the 9-1-1 Communications Center. 

When a person calls 9-1-1 for help, the City of Seattle aims to send resources immediately and intervene effectively, to meet the needs identified and achieve an optimal outcome for all parties involved.

Our Mission 

We answer the call, ensuring the best first response for a safer, stronger Seattle.

Our Priorities 

The CARE department is committed to the shared values of collaboration, adaptability, responsibility, and empathy:

Collaboration

- We believe that a collaborative and coordinated approach with Police, Fire & EMS services is essential to holistically meet the needs of community members.

- We are committed to a robust and transparent environment, sharing and considering a diversity of perspectives and ideas both internally and externally.

Adaptability

- We believe the community’s needs are complex and varied, requiring diverse skill sets, perspectives, and resources.

- We are adaptive and responsive to emerging trends.

Responsibility

- We believe prevention and diversion are essential to minimizing the need for coercion.

- We believe in balancing compassion with the broader needs of community.

Empathy

- We believe people can change and acknowledge that every life has equal value.

- We advocate for an unbiased system designed to heal and rehabilitate.