Lexington County Fire Service firefighters will now carry and administer Narcan for patients suffering from symptoms of an overdose.

Narcan can completely or partially reverse the symptoms of an opioid overdose.

It has become a critical tool for emergency responders in the fight against opioid abuse and addiction.

Each LCFS fire unit will carry 2 doses of Narcan.

The initiative to equip LCFS firefighters with Narcan was made possible through a SCDHEC grant.

“Lexington County firefighters are all trained in basic life-support care and are oftentimes called upon to first respond for critical medical calls,” Lexington County Emergency Services Director David Kerr said.

“The issuance of Narcan to our fire units allows for more avenues for a patient to receive the life-saving drug as quickly as possible when the need arises.”

From Aug. 1, 2018 to Aug. 1, 2019, Lexington County emergency responders answered 223 calls for service where Narcan was administered during the call.

LCFS firefighters were trained on the utilization of Narcan by members of Lexington County Emergency Medical Service.