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Board approves opioid-settlement purchase for Sioux City Fire Rescue ventilator trainer
Summary
Sioux City Fire requested equipment and training supported by opioid-settlement funds. The board approved the purchase of a Safe BVM trainer and supplies and noted training could be offered to county crews; approval was unanimous.
The Woodbury County Board approved a request from Sioux City Fire Rescue to buy a specialized ventilation trainer and supplies using opioid‑settlement money.
Jim Hayden, EMS director with Sioux City Fire, told the board the device supports controlled ventilation during overdose responses. “This is basically a device ... the only one on the market that allows that,” Hayden said, describing studies that showed responders can ventilate too rapidly during high-adrenaline calls. He added that airway support can be necessary in addition to naloxone for opioid overdoses.
Board members asked whether training could extend to other county crews; Hayden said the department would be willing to train other units. The board took a single motion to approve the expenditure and voted 5–0.
The item was presented as an eligible use of opioid‑settlement funds in the meeting materials; the board’s approval allows Sioux City Fire Rescue to purchase the trainer and associated supplies and to schedule the cross-agency training Hayden described.
