SOMERVILLE FIRE DEPT. FULLY EQUIPPED WITH NARCAN

SOMERVILLE – Mayor Joseph A.
Curtatone and Chief Fire Engineer Kevin Kelleher announced this week that all
Somerville Fire Department companies are equipped with nasal Naloxone (Narcan),
a prescription medication that can reverse an opioid overdose. In a joint
effort with the Cambridge Health Alliance, Cataldo Ambulance, and the
Somerville Board of Health and Trauma Response Network, Somerville Firefighters
completed training on administering the prescription to victims of drug
overdose. In March, Gov. Deval Patrick declared a public health emergency in
Massachusetts due to the growing epidemic of opioid addition and increasing
rates of fatal overdose.

“There is a public health
emergency in the Commonwealth as it relates to opioid use and overdose, and the
City of Somerville is far from immune to the challenges of addiction,” said
Mayor Curtatone. “Over the last three months, we have lost several residents to
this terrible disease, and though we know we must come together as a region to
combat addiction and to find more and better ways to increase access to support
services and resources, ensuring that our first responders are trained and
equipped with tools like Narcan can greatly increase our ability to save lives
and work to provide those necessary supports at the local level.”

“Our firefighters are often the
first on the scene, which is why we felt it was critical to ensure all of our
companies are trained and equipped with Narcan. Those extra seconds or minutes
saved can sometimes make all the difference in our ability to save a life,”
said Chief Kelleher. “Just this past month in fact, we were able to rescue an
overdose victim by administering Narcan. We all always hope it never comes to
an overdose, but when it does, we want to have every possible tool to help that
individual on hand.”

The Somerville Fire Department
has partnered with the Cambridge Heath Alliance (CHA) to purchase Narcan
directly through its pharmaceutical companies at discounted rates. Other
medical supplies and kits will be purchased through separate vendors. Chief
Medical Officer of CHA, Doctor Assaad Sayah, agreed to provide the necessary
medical oversight for the program with Dr. Jordan Wagner assigned as the
medical control physician for the Somerville Fire Department. Initial training
was conducted by Cataldo Ambulance Inc.

Narcan Training for Community
Members

The
City of Somerville Health Department and the Somerville Office of Prevention,
in cooperation with Teen Empowerment and Save Our Somerville, recently hosted a
free How to Save a Life workshop and discussion on substance abuse,
prescription drug misuse, and education, as well as strategies for support
systems and treatment, recovery, and coping mechanisms for victims and
families. The workshop also included training in Narcan administration for
community members. To receive notification of the next workshop, please contact
Patty Contente at 617-625-6600 ext. 4325, or email PContente@somervillema.gov

If you or anyone you know is
seeking support or resources for addressing drug addiction, additional
resources include:

• ·        
  Massachusetts
  Substance Use Helpline: 1-800-327-5050
• ·        
  Families Anonymous @ 121 Washington St., Medford. Meets
  Tuesday 7 p.m.  781-727-1803
• ·        
  Learn 2 Cope @
  Spaulding Hospital, 1575 Cambridge St., Cambridge. Meets Monday 7 p.m.
  508-738-5148. Use main entrance and follow signs to the 3rd Floor
  Chapel. If you have questions, stop at the reception desk. Free visitor
  parking at Lot E on Hovey Avenue.

·        

See
more at: http://www.somervillema.gov/departments/health/%252Foffice-of-prevention/scap/resources