Lydia McCrary Is the Medical Services Director and leads the Chatham County Fire Department Behavioral Health Unit. She has been a paramedic/firefighter for 19 years. She has done extensive research and training in community paramedicine bringing innovative strategies to Chatham County.

Sergeant Hiram Rivera of the Chatham County Police Departement has spearheaded the Crisis Intervention Team efforts from a law enforcement perspective and when Chatham Fire transitioned to a County department on July 1, 2024, he became a valued member of the fire department Behavioral Health Unit.

The Behavioral Health Unit (BHU) currently has two community paramedics. Coleen Robertson who has been a paramedic for 12 years and Khyle Shervington has been a paramedic for 10 years.

They are extensively trained in de-escalation, suicide intervention, trauma informed response, resiliency, crisis intervention, and advanced paramedicine. They have worked closely with the Savannah Police Department and the Chatham County Police Department’s BHU units and the Behavioral Crisis Center to reduce unnecessary ER admissions and EMS transports.

The goal of the unit is to provide not only crisis care but to also provide follow up with their patients to connect them to the right resources, whether that is counseling, substance abuse treatment, food, or shelter. The unit collaborates with multiple community partners to bridge the gap.

If you would like to make a referral to one of our Community Paramedics, please visit https://reach.julota.com/eturl/b117b29d2328f856