Room 16 Protocol for first Responders in Crisis

In collaboration with Good Samaritan Hospital-Clifton and Bethesda Butler Hospital, we developed the Room 16 Protocol for First Responders in crisis. The backdoor process enables first responders privacy and confidentiality when seeking care for suicidal ideation. This process is only avaialble for first responders.

 Why This Protocol Matters

First responders face extraordinary psychological demands that accumulate over their careers. The Room 16 Protocol recognizes that those who protect our communities deserve dignified, confidential care when they reach a crisis point.

This specialized pathway provides immediate access to mental health services while preserving the privacy and dignity that first responders need. By creating a discrete entry point and dedicated room for care, barriers are removed and stigma is reduced which might prevent someone from seeking life-saving help.

The Room 16 Protocol addresses the critical mental health needs of first responders by:

1. Preserving Dignity & Privacy - Discrete entry through the Decontamination Room avoids the main ER, allowing responders to maintain confidentiality during their most vulnerable moments
2. Removing Barriers to Care - The stigma around mental health in first responder culture often prevents people from seeking help. This dedicated pathway makes it easier to take that crucial first step
3. Preventing Tragedy - First responders experience cumulative trauma that can lead to crisis. Having an immediate, clear pathway to professional care can be life-saving
4. Recognizing Occupational Injury - This protocol treats mental health crises as what they are: legitimate occupational injuries requiring professional treatment, just like physical injuries
5. Supporting Families & Departments - By providing rapid access to care with peer support built in, this protocol protects not just the individual but their entire support system

Mental health crises among first responders are occupational injuries that require professional treatment. This protocol ensures that when a colleague, friend, or family member recognizes warning signs, there's a clear, compassionate pathway to care that protects careers, families, and lives. 

If you are seeking care for someone, please download the protocol flyer for the location where you are seeking care.

If you are interested in learning more about the process, including how you can develop this in your area, please contact us. We offer on-sight training for a first responder in crisis, tours of the process at each location, and connection to follow-up care.

You are not alone. Our team stands ready to connect to care and provide on-going support while first responders heal.