Opioid Response and Harm Reduction Response Unit

Description: The Philadelphia Fire Department is one of the busiest metropolitan fire departments in the country. In 2020, we responded to an alarming 266,090 medical responses. In response to the opioid epidemic, Mayor Jim Kenny created a task force to combat the opioid epidemic resulting in the Philadelphia Resilience Project. The area affected is Kensington, known worldwide for drug activity. The fire department can team with the Philadelphia Department of Behavior Health and Intellectual disabilities Services (DBHIDS) to form The Alternative Response Unit AR2, which responds to 911 calls for suspected overdoses. This unit is directly able to provide harm reduction services and linkage to care for people with Substance abuse disorders. The objective of AR2 is to arrive on scene and administer Narcan and any other interventions to patients who have overdosed on opioids. After the patient achieves a normal mental status, has stable vitals, the unit can help facilitate direct placement into drug treatment facilities. This unit cuts out the Emergency Room. The unit takes someone from almost dead to life changing steps in the manner of moments. The unit also provides bystanders with leave behind Narcan and training on how to administer the medication.