The Oakland City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to direct staff to design a pilot program to dispatch counselors and paramedics from the city’s Fire Department to mental health crises instead of police officers.

The plan is a shift from the original idea of contracting with community-based organizations to run the program independently.

The council also ordered the administration to explore options including contracting with Alameda County staff and health specialists or temporary staff within the Fire Department to run the program — called Mobile Assistance Community Responders of Oakland, known as MACRO. In addition, the city administration will look into contracting with community organizations qualified in mental health outreach.

“We know that there are very high expectations for this program given the urgent need, and I hope that the city can deliver,” said Council President Nikki Fortunato Bas, who is also the co-chair of the city’s Reimagining Public Safety Task Force, which has a goal of cutting the police budget in half and shifting the money to social services.

Bas and Council Member Dan Kalb introduced the motion that was voted on. The city administration will give a progress report at the March 16 council meeting. At that time, they could also seek council approval on legislation needed to expedite the program.