Columbus Fire and EMS program sends paramedics to frequent 911 callers

COLUMBUS, Ga. (WTVM) - Columbus Fire and EMS says a new program that sends community paramedics to the homes of people who call 911 repeatedly is connecting those people with the resources they need.As of Oct. 31, paramedics had visited 358 addresses. Referrals to care and resources nearly tripled, from 43 last year to 127 so far this year. Fire and EMS says that is a sign the program is working.How Columbus Correct Care worksCommunity paramedic Jonathan Laughlin makes house calls for people who call 911 over and over.The program is called Columbus Correct Care. Since February 2025, paramedics have visited 358 addresses. The eight-to-16-week program is voluntary.“It’s a nontraditional way of EMS, but it’s a way to address the high utilization of 911, how we can combat those frequent calls to the same individuals over and over, being able to expose them to the available resources,” Laughlin said.Patients and community partnersTim Lewis, a Correct Care patient, used to call 911 several t