Chelsea’s Police and Fire departments have reached an agreement to stock Narcan, an anti-overdose medication, in their vehicles. The initiative carries a price tag of $500 per officer and firefighter.
During Monday night’s Council meeting, City Manager Tom Ambrosino submitted a funding request for the program, seeking $120,000 to cover this year’s expenses.
Ambrosino stated: “Given the extent of the opioid addiction problem in this community, I have pressed hard for our first responders to carry this important drug. In consideration for requiring that public safety officers be trained in the use of Narcan, I have agreed to provide each union employee with a $500 annual stipend.”
Compared to neighboring jurisdictions, Chelsea’s police and fire departments are moving relatively late in adopting Narcan protocols.
For nearly five years, Revere’s Fire Department has maintained Narcan supplies on its apparatus. Revere Police started carrying the drug earlier this year.
Everett Police deployed Narcan this summer and promptly reversed an overdose with an officer’s intervention, resulting in a life saved.
The stipend represents the bulk of program expenses at $102,000, reflecting terms found in neighboring municipalities’ contracts. Procurement of the medication itself will require $18,000.
Naloxone, known commercially as Narcan, is administered to individuals experiencing opioid overdose. The drug typically produces immediate revival in unresponsive patients.