SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) - More counselors will go out on drug and mental health calls with Springfield Fire units.

The City said in a press release that the BEACON Project (Bridging Emergency And Community Outreach Network) will help transform the community's response to opioid-related and mental health service calls.

Last year, Springfield police and fire departments went out on nearly 1,800 mental health calls.

"They're just so unpredictable," Springfield Fire Chief Nick Zummo said of those calls. "You have everything from someone just having a bad day and wanting to talk all the way up to threatening suicide or others. We're thinking that with EMTs and with social workers, maybe we can build trust and build a relationship with some of these people."

The BEACON Project will connec

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