With increasing numbers of fentanyl and carfentanil overdoses in the province, and with the potential for first responders to be exposed to the deadly drugs, the Huntsville Lake of Bays Fire Department will equip all of its vehicles with naloxone nasal spray kits as a preventative measure for firefighters.
Fentanyl and carfentanil are some of the most potent and dangerous opioids. Fentanyl is up to 100 times more potent than morphine and up to 50 times more potent than heroin; carfentanil is 100 times more potent than fentanyl. Just 20 micrograms of carfentanil, smaller than a grain of salt, can be fatal.
According to the Ministry website, an opioid overdose causes breathing to slow or stop completely, but immediate use of a naloxone injection or nasal spray can help a patient breathe normally and regain consciousness.
The Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care announced late last year that it would provide free naloxone kits to police and fire services across the province. Some are using the kits to treat patients who have overdosed on opioids, while others have them available to help front-line police and firefighters in case of exposure. The latter is how the Huntsville Lake of Bays Fire Department would use the kits, Deputy Fire Chief Gary Monahan told General Committee at its March 28 meeting.
“We consider this course of action to be in line with the Occupational Health & Safety Acts which requires employers to take every reasonable precaution for the protection of the worker,” noted the staff report presented to committee. “Although local emergency services have increased their level of protection when responding to possible drug overdoses, there still is a significant threat for first responders to be exposed and develop adverse effects.”
Firefighters will be trained in use of the naloxone kits, which will be provided by the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit, as part of their ongoing training.
Naloxone kits are also available to the public for free at local pharmacies.
Don’t miss out on Doppler! Sign up for our free newsletter here.
Naloxone kits save lives. Bottom line. Kudos to Fire Chief Monahan for embracing this life saving tool!
I think it’s about time that our area emergency service providers had these kits at hand to protect their workers. Kudos for finally taking care of your staff District of Muskoka!
But here’s a thought: should the emergency provider encounter someone at the scene who is in need of naloxone do they they have kits at hand and the knowledge to administer? As we know time is of the essence in administering this antidote. I hope the person in need doesn’t have to wait for the ambulance to arrive.