WASHINGTON — Today Deputy Attorney General Rod J. Rosenstein delivered remarks at the Office of Justice Programs in Washington D.C. regarding the rollout of Fentanyl: The Real Deal, a training video created by a Federal Interagency Working Group and coordinated by the National Security Council. The Bureau of Justice Assistance presented the video and hosted a panel comprised of first responders, including Dr. Brent Myers, president of the National Association of EMS Physicians (NAEMSP), for discussion of the training video.
Fentanyl: The Real Deal explains protective actions first responders should take when there may be fentanyl present, when exposure occurs and when individuals exhibit signs of opioid intoxication. The video provides scientific, evidence-based recommendations to protect against exposure to fentanyl and will be an essential training tool for first responders as they continue to fight on the frontlines of the opioid crisis.
The panel, which was moderated by John J. Martin, Assistant Administrator, Diversion Control Division, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, discussed video highlights, including protective actions first responders should take to perform daily activities safely when the presence of fentanyl is suspected.
“With the prevalence of the illicit use of fentanyl, it’s vital that first responders are fully aware of how to protect themselves from exposure,” said Myers. “However, the risk of exposure on a routine overdose response to first responders is notably low, and this risk can be completely mediated with standardly available personal protective equipment. That said, participating on this panel was an excellent opportunity for NAEMSP to collaborate with other agencies to discuss how important evidence-based resources such as this video are for our first responder community.”
NAEMSP is comprised of physicians and EMS professionals dedicated to providing leadership and fostering excellence in the subspecialty of EMS medicine and out-of-hospital care. NAEMSP is a leading healthcare advocate, most recently securing the passage of the Protecting Patient Access to Emergency Medications Act.
More information about Fentanyl: The Real Deal and to view the video, click here.
About the National Association of Emergency Services Physicians (NAEMSP)
The National Association of EMS Physicians (NAEMSP) is an organization of physicians and other professionals partnering to provide leadership and foster excellence in the subspecialty of EMS medicine.