Alternative Response Will Be Televised: The Show Reimagining Emergency Response

“We made a difference. We took care of people. People who are alive today because of us.” —Mitchell J. Brown, Former Freedom House Ambulance Service Paramedic

Photo by Michael Förtsch on Unsplash

What we’ve been taught about emergency response

We’ve watched storylines where police arrive first, take control, and resolve the situation. Over time, that narrative has shaped our expectations. So when someone calls 911, whether it’s for a mental health crisis, substance use emergency, or a moment of distress, we default to what we’ve been shown.

Police are sent, even when the situation isn’t criminal.

But the reality is, many emergencies aren’t about crime at all. They’re about mental, behavioral, or emotional health. And when the response doesn’t match the need, people can be met with harm and systems that weren’t designed to support them in the first place.

That disconnect is what this movement is working to change.

A new kind of show and the real-world movement behind it

Instead of centering law enforcement, it follows alternative first responders, trained professionals who respond to non-criminal emergencies with care, de-escalation, and connection to services.

They show up in homes, schools, and public spaces to support people experiencing:

• Mental health crises

• Substance use emergencies

• Moments of acute distress

These responders are trained to assess what’s happening in real time, stabilize the situation, and help people access the care they need, whether that’s immediate support, medical attention, or longer-term services.

And importantly, they approach these moments as health emergencies, not criminal ones.

The series itself is grounded in truth. It draws from interviews with real response teams across the country—people already doing this work every day—and transforms those experiences into storylines, characters, and narrative arcs.

Using a scripted format allows the show to do two things at once: tell honest, complex stories while protecting the identities and privacy of the people whose experiences inspire them.

But this isn’t just about storytelling for awareness. It’s about showing people that this kind of response already exists and helping them find it.

From screen to system: The role of the Right Response

Across the country, alternative response is already a present reality. Through our Right Response Directory, we’ve identified more than 250 community responder teams nationwide. Based on ongoing research and outreach, that number may be closer to 600 programs operating across the U.S.

1M4 has been building and expanding this directory as a living resource, mapping what exists, elevating what’s working, and making it easier for people to access these services in their own communities.

These programs vary by location, but many share a common approach: small, multidisciplinary teams—often two to four responders—who bring a mix of expertise into the field.

These teams often include:

• Behavioral health specialists trained in crisis intervention

• Emergency medical technicians and community paramedics

• Licensed clinical social workers and therapists

• Peer support specialists with lived experience

• Outreach workers who maintain ongoing relationships in the community

Together, they respond to calls that don’t require police but care, expertise, and trust.

Our directory does more than list these programs. It creates visibility for a system that has often operated in the background and connects people directly to alternatives that align with their needs.

In tandem, this TV series will highlight the important work these responders do and point people directly to where they can find support.

Why this shift is gaining momentum

This isn’t a fringe idea. A lot of people across the country are already aligned on this approach.

Communities want our government to rethink how public safety works, not by replacing existing systems, but by improving them. That includes addressing the root causes of harm and more effectively matching the right professionals to each 911 call.

Research conducted by The Joyce Foundation, Lake Research Partners, and The Tarrance Group reveals Americans’ attitudes toward public safety (April 2023):

• 58% of voters support combining traditional policing with co-responder and alternative responder models

• Strong agreement that public safety systems should send the right type of responder based on the situation

And when it comes to specific emergencies, the public is even more decisive. Voters consistently say police are least needed for:

• Anxiety and panic attacks

• Mental health distress calls

• Environmental and quality-of-life concerns

In other words, the very situations that make up a significant portion of 911 calls are the ones where people most want a different kind of response. Importantly, this shift isn’t seen as political. It’s seen as practical.

Overall, people believe that expanding alternative response:

• Improves outcomes for people in crisis

• Builds a more effective, responsive system overall

• Supports police by allowing them to focus on violent crime

At its core, this is about alignment, ensuring that when someone calls for help, the response they receive actually matches what they need.