North Collier Fire Control Adds New Mobil Integrated Healthcare Unit
MH-45 adds a patient-centered level of service while preserving frontline emergency resources for the most critical calls
NAPLES, FL – North Collier Fire Control & Rescue District placed its new Mobile Integrated Healthcare unit, designated MH-45, into service on Monday, July 20, 2026.
Branded as the “We Care” program, the specialized unit represents the next evolution of North Collier Fire’s emergency medical services by providing an additional level of care for patients with certain low-acuity, non-emergent medical needs. During its first operational shift, MH-45 responded to two low-acuity medical calls. The unit will operate Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. One Mobile Integrated Healthcare unit is currently in service.
The program was developed through extensive coordination among North Collier Fire, the Collier County Sheriff’s Office Communications Center, Collier County and the program’s medical directors. That collaboration included reviewing historical call data, identifying appropriate call types, developing dispatch procedures and establishing clinical guidelines for when MH-45 may be sent.
North Collier Fire’s medical directors provided direct clinical oversight throughout the program’s development. Their involvement helped establish patient-selection criteria, treatment protocols, quality-assurance measures, and procedures to immediately increase the response rate when a patient’s condition requires additional emergency resources.
“Launching MH-45 is about delivering the right care, with the right resource, at the right time,” said North Collier Fire Chief Eloy Ricardo. “A tremendous amount of work occurred behind the scenes with our partners at the Collier County Sheriff’s Office Communications Center, Collier County and our medical directors to ensure this program was designed safely, responsibly and around the needs of our patients. This unit adds another level of service while helping keep our traditional rescue units available for the most serious and time-sensitive emergencies.”
MH-45 will respond without lights or sirens to designated low-acuity, non-emergent incidents identified through the 911 dispatch process. These include calls from qualifying Priority 3 healthcare facilities.
The Public Still Calls 911
Residents do not need to determine which emergency unit they require, and they should not delay calling because they are uncertain whether their situation qualifies for MH-45.
The public needs to call 911.
Callers should answer the dispatcher’s questions as accurately as possible. The Collier County Sheriff’s Office Communications Center and emergency personnel will use the protocols developed by North Collier Fire, Collier County and the program’s medical directors to determine the most appropriate resource to send.
“The public does not need to learn a new number, request the MIH unit or decide whether an emergency is considered low acuity,” said Deputy Chief Jorge Aguilera, who oversees North Collier Fire’s EMS operations. “We have completed that work behind the scenes. Residents should continue to call 911, and the emergency communications professionals will use the information provided to send the appropriate response.”
If MH-45 is not the appropriate unit, is unavailable, or cannot meet the established response standard, the closest available emergency resource will be dispatched. The addition of MH-45 does not reduce the level of emergency service provided to the community. Instead, it expands the resources available within the emergency medical system.
“Every patient will continue to receive the level of care their condition requires,” Aguilera said. “MH-45 gives our clinicians more flexibility to carefully evaluate patients, provide treatment when appropriate and determine the best next step. If a patient’s condition changes or requires a higher level of care, the crew can immediately upgrade the response.”
Although MH-45’s primary mission is to address low-acuity medical needs, the vehicle is fully equipped, licensed and permitted to provide both Advanced Life Support and Basic Life Support transportation. Its crew can evaluate patients, provide treatment when clinically appropriate, and transport patients when additional care is needed.
“This is more than a new vehicle,” Ricardo said. “It is the result of multiple agencies and medical professionals working together to develop a smarter and more patient-centered approach to emergency medical care. The words on the side of the vehicle say exactly what this program represents: We Care.”
North Collier Fire will continually evaluate the program through its Quality Assurance and Continuous Improvement process. Performance measures will include response times, patient outcomes, patient dispositions, patient satisfaction, transport avoidance, and the program’s effect on the availability of frontline emergency resources.
North Collier Fire Control and Rescue District is an independent special fire district that annually responds to more than 25,000 calls
for service throughout a 264-square-mile area of Collier County, Florida. The agency’s all-hazards response includes advanced life
support (ALS) medical response by firefighters/EMTs and firefighters/Paramedics, as well as marine, dive, and beach rescue,
hazardous materials, technical rescue, and lifeguards. A five-member board of fire commissioners governs the District. Visit
www.northcollierfire.com for more information.
