The Prince George Fire Department will soon be able to administer Naloxone – a lifesaving drug which reverses an opiate drug overdose.
Fire Chief John Iverson says they are on the front lines of the recent epidemic, “there is a great need in our city and around the province. We’ve been experiencing opiate overdoses for many years and the number has just grown immensely in the last couple of years.”
The BC Coroners Service says five people died of fentanyl overdose in PG in the month of June alone. Many more have died of other types of overdose, with 31 people losing their lives in Northern BC so far this year. (previous story)
Until now, only paramedics were trained to administer Naloxone, however fire crews often beat the ambulance to the scene of an overdose.
“For the people that are living a very high risk existence and get themselves into troubling circumstances, it will reduce their likelihood of injury or death” Iverson said after making the request to City Council on Monday.
Iverson says BC Emergency Health Services will provide the training for the entire PG Fire Department. The first crews will be able to administer the medicine in about four weeks.
Something going on in the Prince George area you think people should know about?
Send us a news tip by emailing [email protected].
