Low risk, no cost – no brainer
Fire chief asks council to approve two programs – naloxone kits on fire trucks and technical rescue service agreements
ELORA – No one actually said “no brainer,” but Centre Wellington council had an easy time supporting Fire Chief Jason Benn’s two requests on June 29.
The first was to form an agreement with Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health, which will supply Centre Wellington Fire Rescue with naloxone kits, which has been proven to reverse the effects of opioid overdoses.
Public health has a program to distribute the kits for free and firefighters are already trained to recognize the signs of overdose and administer the drug.
“It’s a low-risk, no-cost agreement,” said.
His second request was for fire officials to sign technical rescue service agreements with participating municipalities.
Benn said Centre Wellington Fire Rescue has developed an expertise in technical rescue, including rope rescue and water and ice rescue, and is recognized regionally as a leader in this area.
The agreements would allow Centre Wellington to respond to requests for assistance from neighbouring fire departments that don’t have the expertise.
The agreements would include full cost recovery for Centre Wellington, Benn said.
“It’s great that firefighters have achieved this new skill,” he added.
Council had no trouble approving both requests.
