Mobile Assistance Community Responders of Oakland (MACRO)

The Mobile Assistance Community Responders of Oakland (MACRO) is a community response program operated by the Oakland Fire Department for non-violent, non-emergency, non-criminal requests for service. MACRO aims to increase access to community resources and streamline responses by traditional first responders (Fire and Police).

How to Contact MACRO

Before contacting MACRO, confirm that the situation:

• Is not an emergency
• Is non-violent
• Involves no visible weapons
• Is not taking place inside a home, residence or business

If you need an immediate emergency response, please call 911.

Phone

Call (510) 446-2276 | (510) 44 MACRO

Online Request

MACRO Intake Form

Email

MACRO@oaklandca.gov

When contacting MACRO via email, please include the following information

• Subject Line: "Request for Service @ Address/Location + Incident Type"
• Body:
  • Description of incident
  • Any relevant information
  • A picture (if possible)

Hours of Operation

6:30 a.m. - 8:30 p.m., seven days a week.

Incidents are addressed in the order they are received.

What to Expect after Contacting MACRO

• When we get on the scene, we will focus on the individual and their needs, not the property.
• All interactions we have are voluntary.
• We must protect the privacy of the individuals involved. We cannot provide follow-up information.

MACRO Zones

 

Program Overview & History

"For decades, Americans have called 911 when they are experiencing an emergency or need assistance. While this can be an effective and convenient way to deploy first responders—whether from police, fire, or emergency medical services (EMS)—community advocates and traditional first responders have long argued that many situations could be better handled by health and social service professionals." — Council of State Governments

The MACRO program was born from years of community advocacy for alternative public safety models. In 2019, the Oakland City Council allocated $40,000 of initial funding to explore a civilian response program inspired by models like CAHOOTS in Oregon. Over the next two years, City officials and community stakeholders collaborated to design a program tailored to Oakland’s unique needs. In March 2021, the City Council approved the program and placed it under the Oakland Fire Department. MACRO officially launched in April 2022 as an 18-month pilot in select neighborhoods. By August 2022, MACRO had expanded citywide and began receiving eligible 911 dispatches directly from the City’s emergency communications center. In March of 2024 MACRO received a direct phone line to offload the City's 911 system, which is often impacted by non-emergency requests for service.  

Designed to address non-violent, non-emergency 911 calls such as mental health concerns, wellness checks, substance use issues, and quality-of-life disturbances, MACRO deploys trained civilian teams to provide compassionate, culturally responsive care. By offering an alternative to traditional law enforcement, MACRO aims to streamline non-emergency services, increase access to supportive services, and improve health and safety outcomes for Oakland’s most vulnerable residents.

Today, MACRO operates daily throughout Oakland between 6:30 AM and 8:30 PM. The team is made up of 26 responders, and response teams consist of a Community Intervention Specialist (CIS) and an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), both trained to handle crises with care and de-escalation. 

Leadership

• Elliott Jones, MACRO Program Manager, Oakland Fire Department
• Michael Hunt, Chief of Staff, Oakland Fire Department
• Tina Risker, MACRO Public Information Officer, Oakland Fire Department

Stay Up to Date

• Follow MACRO on Instagram
• MACRO Gallery

Additional Information