BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – The Burlington Fire Department is implementing what’s called the PREVENT initiative to combat the opioid crisis in the Queen City.
It stands for Prehospital Vermont EMS Buprenorphine Treatment.
The program will allow paramedics to administer buprenorphine after an overdose, which is a medication critical for treating opioid use disorder.
Each ambulance will be stocked with supplies and devices to calculate the scale of withdrawal.
Crews will also be able to refer patients to local recovery programs.
The department will be the first in the nation to roll this out.
Officals call it a significant day for Burlington and EMS nationwide.