To deal with the possibility a fentanyl overdose, the Smithers Volunteer Fire Department is looking at using naloxone kits.
Fire Chief Keith Stecko says it’s in the preliminary phase.
“We’re just starting to look at the training, the requirements, the risks…while we’re not carrying it yet, we’re just in the process of assessing what it is we need to do,” says Stecko.
“It’s a question of the level of service being provided to the community…being that fentanyl is such an issue right across the board.”
He says more information will be available later, and indicates that ambulances are also getting on board.
Smithers RCMP are set to use the the naloxone kits to deal with the deadly drug, warning that rural areas are not immune, following the fentanyl overdose that took the life of a Smithers man in November.
Several volunteer fire departments in rural areas across the province are expected to be using the kits.