File Photo (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By Spencer Mielke

Overdose Calls

Kamloops Fire Rescue reports 167 per cent increase in naloxone use in 2022

Apr 11, 2023 | 10:04 AM

KAMLOOPS — A new report to city council says Kamloops Fire Rescue (KFR) recorded a 167 per cent increase in use of naloxone in 2022. The statistic was included in the annual report put together by the city’s Community and Protective Services Department.

The significant increase in naloxone use contributed to an overall increase of 32 per cent in all calls dealt with by KFR.

Naloxone is used to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. The B.C. Coroners Service reported a record 90 overdose deaths in Kamloops in 2022.

Fire Chief Ken Uzeloc said 2022 was the busiest year for KFR as the calls for service increased by nearly 1,000 calls from the year prior. In the report, Uzeloc also explained how the increase in medical calls has put a strain on their system to meet the demands of the increasing workload.

The Emergency Support Services volunteer team helped alleviate some of that pressure as the team volunteered a combined 4,447 hours. For the first time in 2022, KFR also hosted events and classes to educate people about life-saving practices including the administration of naloxone.

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Looking ahead to 2023, KFR, alongside city council, has set out some goals to work on, including a 10-year risk assessment plan and to update the medical scope of practice for firefighters to the Emergency Medical Responder level.