The Emergency Response Service (ERS) is a 24-hour-a-day, 7-days-a-week, police dispatched, mobile crisis unit serving Peoria County, Illinois. We provide around-the-clock crisis intervention, assessment and referral services to law enforcement agencies, hospitals, social services, and the general public. ERS is a program of the Human Service Center. Our team of highly trained crisis interventionists are trained in:
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Crisis theory for effective interactions
Basic legal rights related to behavioral
health, housing, and family issues
How to access community resources
Supportive counseling techniques for interventions
Three significant sources of referrals for ERS are law enforcement agencies, the medical community, and social service agencies. We also receive calls from family members and friends of individuals in need. ERS has served the Peoria area since 1975 and averages more than 4500 calls a year.
What we do
Emergency calls are received through our main switchboard 24-hours a day. Our trained receptionist answers requests for information and refers calls to an on-duty counselor. She also handles requests from walk-in individuals. Our team of crisis counselors responds to psychiatric emergencies, drug/alcohol emergencies, suicide interventions, family or relationship difficulties, non-criminal police contacts, and requests to meet basic living needs. ERS also provides pre-screening for individuals being considered for admission to state-operated hospitals. The community's Information and Referral Services that are funded by the United Way are operated out of the ERS office.
How to reach us
If individual safety is at risk:
Contact the police department for an initial response.
The police will contact ERS when the situation is secure.
If individual safety is not a concern:
Contact ERS at 309.671.8084
TTY Line: 309.671.3566
You will be asked for some brief information to assist our response.
"ERS is an integral part of the police department's response..." Captain Lisa Snow
Peoria Police Department
