In response to the growing number of overdoses in the city, Kamloops firefighters have now been trained to administer a life-saving tool.
Beginning Friday, Kamloops Fire Rescue will have the ability to administer Naloxone, a medication used to reverse an overdoses, specifically with opioids such as Fentanyl.
The antidote will restore normal breathing and consciousness to someone suffering an opioid overdose and can prevent death or brain damage, said Deputy Fire chief Mike Adams in a press release.
“Kamloops Fire Rescue firefighters are trained to recognize opiate overdose and respond appropriately. This response includes performing rescue breathing with bag valve mask ventilations and oral airway placement, placing the patient in the recovery position and administering Naloxone. These skills can keep someone alive until a higher level of care arrives,” he said.
From January to May, there have been 308 overdose deaths in the province.
According to the B.C. Coroners Service, fentanyl has been detected in 56 per cent of those overdoses.
In the same time, Kamloops has seen a total of 18 drug overdose deaths.
