Wilmington firefighters are now carrying the overdose antidote Naloxone in all staff vehicles.
Gov. Carney signed a bill last month allowing firefighters to administer the lifesaving medicine, also known by its brand name Narcan, to people suffering from an overdose.
Previously, it had only been legal for peace officers, paramedics and EMTs to administer Narcan. Lay people are also allowed to use it to help an overdose patient under the Good Samaritan Act. But, the language in the law could’ve been interpreted to exclude firefighters from this list and subject them to lawsuits if they issued a patient Narcan.
249 people died from drug overdoses in New Castle County last year. Wilmington Fire Chief Michael Donahue says the change will save lives.