Seattle's commitment to address it's opioid crisis takes a significant leap forward as the Seattle Fire Department (SFD) becomes the first in the nation to have firefighter/emergency medical technicians (EMTs) administer buprenorphine in the field. This expansion of the Buprenorphine Pilot Program builds on an existing initiative that allowed SFD paramedics to provide the medication earlier this year. The program aims to deliver timely and potentially life-saving assistance to patients suffering from severe opioid withdrawal, as reported by the Mayor's Office.
Enthusiasm for the program's expansion is echoed in the words of Mayor Bruce Harrell who stated, "Providing treatment for people suffering from substance use disorder and addiction is the right thing to do and the smart thing to do." Highlighted in the announcement, individuals treated with buprenorphine are reportedly more likely to engage in follow-up care. This approach complements Seattle's goal of integrating public safety with public health to make strides in combating the synthetic opioid crisis.
With approvals from the Washington State Department of Health (DOH), the training of the first group of firefighter/EMTs who staff specialized units like Health 99 and Health One has commenced. These units respond particularly to post-overdose situations. Approximately 20 firefighter/EMTs are expected to complete their training by mid-October and will be ready to administer buprenorphine later this month. SFD's Fire Chief Harold Scoggins affirmed the positive effects of the program, "This allows us to continue meeting patients where they are at, versus only providing access to the medication at facilities," according to the Mayor's Office.
Seattle's fire department currently attends to over 35 overdose patients weekly, and its Health 99 unit has responded to more than 514 overdoses since inception. A gripping reality sets in when considering the 735 overdose deaths reported in 2023 by Public Health – Seattle and King County. Buprenorphine is a key weapon in this battle, as Dr. Michael Sayre, SFD’s Medical Director, pointed out to the Mayor's Office, "Buprenorphine effectively treats opioid withdrawal. Empowering the EMTs in the Health One program to administer buprenorphine will expand the number of patients with access to this important medication."
To gauge the effectiveness of this initiative, the SFD's Mobile Integrated Health (MIH) program works in partnership with Harborview Medical Center. MIH Program Manager Jon Ehrenfeld shared to the Mayor's Office preliminary findings, "SFD paramedics have administered the medicine to 39 patients in the field since the launch of the pilot program. Initial results of the HMC study show that patients who receive this medicine have a higher success rate of scheduling follow-up appointments."
New public health investments support the buprenorphine pilot project, with Mayor Harrell’s proposed 2025 budget earmarking $14.5 million to combat the opioid epidemic. This includes the opening of an Opioid Recovery & Care Access (ORCA) Center and the expansion of detox and treatment services. Brad Finegood, Strategic Advisor at Public Health – Seattle and King County, recognized the program as a symbol of community commitment to utilize all available resources to assist individuals struggling with opioid use disorder.
Tanya Kim, Director of the Human Services Department, also praised the proactive measures: "Expanding buprenorphine access to those served by Health One and Health 99 provides another data driven tool to address the devastating overdose crisis and will save lives." Integrating medical treatments with case management services underscores the city’s approach to fostering a holistic recovery environment for those affected by opioid addiction, as per the Mayor's Office.
