Special to The Dorchester Banner/Eastern Shore Mobile Crisis Team Pictured from left: Lynn Gurley, Eastern Shore Operations Center director; Kevin Knussman, SERVPRO marketing representative; Deanna Miller, SERVPRO marketing director; Carol Masden, Eastern Shore Mobile Crisis team director, and Keonia Greene, Eastern Shore Operations Center Program Center specialist shown accepting SERVPRO Personal Emergency Assistance Bags.[/caption]

CAMBRIDGE — The Eastern Shore Mobile Crisis Team has accepted SERVPRO Personal Emergency Assistance Bags from Eastern Shore area SERVPRO franchises according to Carol Masden, LCSW –C and director of the program.

“Mobile Crisis teams often find our clients have needs beyond just emergency psychiatric issues. These bags offer personal care products and much more. They are small enough to fit on our vehicles and will be available to give to those in need as we provide services within the community,” stated Ms. Masden.

Each Personal Emergency Assistance Bag provides important personal care items to individuals immediately following emergencies like accident, fire, criminal assault, and natural disasters, or other unfortunate circumstances. The SERVPRO Personal Emergency Bag project is a cooperative effort with area emergency services providers distributing them when and where needed at the emergency scene.

According to SERVPRO marketing representative Kevin Knussman, each bag contains important items often needed by people who find themselves in unfortunate circumstances. Contents include toiletry items, diapers, wipes, toothbrush and toothpaste, and a wash cloth and towel. Also included is a journal for recording important conversations and to document contact with insurance or government agencies following the emergency incident. In addition, there are brochures from various agencies in the county such as the Health Department, Social Services, and also the Eastern Shore Mobile Crisis Team.

“Upon completion of the project there will be over 500 bags distributed throughout the Eastern Shore. This gives emergency services providers and law enforcement an opportunity to provide personal care items to victims following accidents, fires, criminal incidents, and basically any time there is an immediate need,” stated Mr. Knussman. “The Eastern Shore Mobile Crisis Team is an integral part of the team of providers responding to very important needs in our communities.”

The Eastern Shore Mobile Crisis Team is operated by the Affiliate Santé Group.

Affiliate Santé Group prides itself in offering dynamic, comprehensive and tailored crisis services to the specific needs of the community. They are mental health first responders for those individuals or groups who are experiencing a behavioral health crisis. The Mobile Crisis Team offers a comprehensive emergency behavioral health assessment, immediate intervention for individuals, family and community crisis events.

The Mobile Crisis Team typically assist persons with mental health, developmental disabilities, or substance abuse issues, and can also be utilized to help individuals and families or communities overwhelmed in a situational crisis; such as a victim of crime, hostage situation, witness to violence or fatal or multiple injury scenes, post homicide or suicide.

Following initial comprehensive crisis support, the Mobile Crisis Team remains involved until the crisis is resolved or until appropriate support is established. They connect those who call with the community resources needed to best address their concerns. They utilize services databases and resources, together with established relationships with local providers, to facilitate a rapid connection with other appropriate resources that may be beneficial.

The program operates response units out of Salisbury, Cambridge, Chestertown, and Elkton locations. The Eastern Shore Crisis Response system can be accessed by calling a 24-hour crisis hotline at 888-407-8018. Their services are free to those who call. While the hotline is available 24 hours, the Mobile Crisis Teams are available from 9 a.m.-midnight 7 days/week/365/year.

SERVPRO operates three Eastern Shore franchises. SERVPRO of the Lower Shore, SERVPRO of the Mid-Upper Shore, and SERVPRO of Talbot/Dorchester provide coverage across the entire Eastern Shore region and can be reached by calling (410) 822-6442. SERVPRO is a leader in the restoration services industry. Services are available 24 hours/7 days a week and are ready to restore damage to your home or commercial structure caused by: Water Damage, Fire Damage, Disaster, storm and flood damage; and Mold Damage.