Chatham County Fire Department welcomes Chatham County Police Corporal Jesse Germinario to its Behavioral Health Unit, strengthening a collaborative approach that connects residents experiencing a crisis with medical care, behavioral health support, and community resources.

CCFD identifies the program as the first multidisciplinary team in Georgia to bring together this combination of expertise: community paramedics, a licensed professional clinician, and a dedicated behavioral health police officer, with a community resource officer planned to further expand the team’s capabilities.

Germinario’s onboarding marks an important step in the partnership between Chatham County Fire Department and Chatham County Police Department. By bringing these professionals together, the unit helps bridge the gap between emergency response and ongoing support.

Welcoming Corporal Germinario

Corporal Jesse Germinario holds a four-year degree in Psychology from Old Westbury College and brings approximately four years of law enforcement experience. He previously served as Chatham County’s Homeless Liaison before transitioning into the role of Behavioral Health Unit officer.

His background provides valuable experience working with residents facing behavioral health challenges, housing instability, and barriers to care. As part of the unit, Germinario works alongside community paramedics and the clinician to support crisis de-escalation, scene safety, community engagement, and follow-up services. He also provides law enforcement coordination and investigative support when necessary.

His addition strengthens the team’s ability to address immediate safety concerns while helping individuals connect with appropriate care.

Bringing Complementary Expertise Together

CCFD’s Behavioral Health Unit–Community Paramedicine Program began July 1, 2024. A full-time licensed clinician joined July 1, 2025. The fire department’s team now includes four community paramedics and one clinician, working in partnership with CCPD’s dedicated BHU officer.

Community paramedics are specially trained in crisis de-escalation, resource management, wound care, substance use disorders, suicide intervention, and other areas of patient care. Partnering with the clinician or BHU officer, they respond to 911 crisis calls, assess medical needs, and provide follow-up services.

Their responsibilities include medical evaluations, medication assessments, monitoring physical health concerns and substance withdrawal, and helping patients navigate access to care.

The licensed clinician responds alongside paramedics and the BHU officer to help de-escalate crisis situations, provide immediate mental health assessments, evaluate suicide risk, develop safety plans, and connect individuals with counseling, treatment, and community resources. The clinician also supports the behavioral health needs of first responders.

A planned community resource officer would further strengthen outreach through resource coordination, follow-up visits, non-emergency transportation to services, community engagement, and home safety inspections.

One Coordinated Approach

The collaboration between CCFD and CCPD brings medical, behavioral health, and law enforcement expertise into a unified approach to care.

The proposed formal structure would place the assigned police positions within the CCFD Behavioral Health Unit under Deputy Chief Lydia McCrary, reporting to Fire Chief James Vickers and Police Chief Hadley. This structure would establish clear responsibilities and support coordination across both departments.

During a crisis, the officer helps maintain scene safety while the paramedics and clinician assess medical and behavioral health needs and provide trauma-informed care. When appropriate, the team can connect individuals with treatment or crisis stabilization services, helping avoid unnecessary emergency department visits or jail involvement.

Care That Continues Beyond the Call

The unit’s mission extends beyond the initial emergency. Team members respond to mental health crises, suicidal individuals, welfare checks, substance-related incidents, and family requests for assistance.

Follow-up and proactive outreach help residents maintain access to support after a 911 call or discharge from a hospital, jail, or crisis center. These services reach people experiencing homelessness, veterans, older adults, adults with disabilities, and residents who frequently need emergency assistance.

Longer-term support focuses on connecting individuals with housing, benefits, treatment, transportation, identification documents, medical appointments, and opportunities for family reunification.

With Germinario joining the team and additional outreach capacity planned, Chatham County continues to strengthen a response built around connection, compassion, and continuity of care.

A real solution to a real challenge: connecting residents with the right resources, in the right place, at the right time.

Stabilize. Connect. Advocate.