Council approves $29,899.55 DEA-compliant safe for fire department using opioid-settlement funds

The Biddeford City Council voted unanimously Aug. 4 to authorize the fire department to purchase a DEA-compliant controlled-substance safe for $29,899.55, using opioid-settlement funds.

Deputy Chief (speaker 18) told the council the DEA’s Protecting Patient Access to Emergency Medications Act requires departments to register and more strictly account for controlled drugs. He said several hospitals have stopped supplying controlled substances to municipalities, meaning departments now must obtain their own DEA registration and buy required storage systems. The deputy chief said the department issued an RFP, received two qualified proposals and selected Boundary Medical at the stated price; a competing proposal from BD Pyxis was roughly $19,500 higher and included exceptions.

Councilors questioned ongoing operational costs and whether the purchase fit opioid-settlement allowable uses. The deputy chief said the system should not require significant ongoing costs beyond occasional software updates, but buying medications directly will increase procurement expense because municipal lot sizes and distributor rules limit sharing; on the legal question, one council member said the city attorney initially questioned eligibility but later concluded it was legally defensible.

"We're coming before you tonight to request funds to purchase a DEA compliant safe, for the amount of $29,899.55," the deputy chief said when introducing the request. After questions and discussion, the council voted unanimously to approve the purchase, and staff said ordering and delivery would proceed immediately (delivery about a month out).