EMS, fire carry EpiPens and naloxone; police trained but do not carry EpiPens amid cost concerns

New Bedford emergency services officials told the City Council Committee on Public Safety and Neighborhoods on March 11 that ambulances and frontline fire units carry both naloxone (Narcan) and epinephrine auto-injectors, while police units currently carry naloxone and are trained to administer epinephrine if a device is available.

Michael Thomas, director of Emergency Medical Services, told the committee that "EMS has EpiPens and the Narcan nasal spray on all of our ambulances and first responder trucks. I believe fire does too as well." Fire Chief Scott Krueger confirmed the department began carrying epinephrine auto-injectors in approximately 2017 and carries naloxone on apparatus.

Deputy Chief Belong said police officers are trained annually to use epinephrine and naloxone, and the department carries naloxone in marked and unmarked cars, but officers do not currently carry EpiPens in their cruisers. "We do not carry it in the car at this time," Belong said, adding that officers are trained and can administer if a patient or bystander has a device.

Committee members asked about cost and alternatives. Thomas told the committee the market price for an EpiPen is about $500'$600 per unit and that the devices have a shelf life of roughly two years. He added that EMS sometimes uses a lower-cost injectable formulation under medical control that costs about $40, noting that police and fire must follow medical-control protocols to use alternatives.

Councilor Morad moved that the committee take no further action on the matter but asked EMS to investigate whether bulk purchasing or other procurement options could lower the unit cost. The committee approved the motion. Officials said they will report back if there are feasible procurement options that would enable wider deployment in police cruisers.