Fentanyl sparks calls

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Vernon Fire Rescue expects more calls to deal with hazardous materials in the new year due to an increased number of overdoses caused by fentanyl, a dangerous opioid being added to other drugs.

This comes at the same time as the department is attempting to deal with fewer first medical responses.

Statistics supplied to city council during budget deliberations show fire crews responded to 68 hazardous material calls as of Sept. 30.

“We saw bumps,” said Jack Blair, deputy fire chief. “In the summer we were sometimes going to two or three overdoses a day.

“We haven't had this in the past and it's something we have to keep an eye on.”

Blair said all firefighters are trained to administer a dose of the antidote naloxone in the case of an overdose.

But he stressed education is key.

“There is a push to educate everybody, particularly family members,”  said Blair, adding they should learn to administer the antidote as well.