Tamworth board considers placing naloxone in public first‑aid kits; training offer available

During public comment on May 27 a resident asked the Select Board to add naloxone (Narcan) kits to publicly accessible first‑aid supplies in town buildings. The board said staff are checking where first‑aid kits exist and whether they can be colocated with existing AEDs.

Mary (town staff) reported she had spoken with the buildings and grounds manager, Rick Maroons, who said the town does not currently have public first‑aid kits at all facilities; staff will inventory locations and explore placing kits where AEDs are already mounted. Mary also said she contacted TCNA and that the nonprofit was open to collaborating on placement and maintenance questions.

Residents and staff noted maintenance and access issues: a speaker identified as Julie from TCNA raised questions about long‑term kit maintenance, access during locked hours and who would keep supplies current and replace expired items. Board members cautioned that putting a kit in place is not simply buying medication; it requires procedures for inventory, access and upkeep.

Training: The Carroll County Coalition for Health (Kathleen Kirsch) offered short naloxone training for town committee members, and a resident noted that basic naloxone administration can be learned from a brief video and printed instructions on the kit.

Next steps: Staff will complete an inventory of first‑aid kit locations, consult with buildings and grounds about maintenance, and explore starting with a single publicly accessible kit in a clearly accessible location as a pilot. The board did not vote on a policy at the meeting.