SEATTLE — In August, Seattle firefighters reached their 100th use of buprenorphine under the fire department’s pilot program for opioid overdoses and withdrawal.
The city stated in a press release that the program, which began in early 2024 under Mayor Harrell’s fentanyl executive order, expanded to allow EMT-Basics to administer buprenorphine, making Seattle the first city in the nation to do so.
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“As the first city in the nation to operationalize firefighter/EMTs administering buprenorphine in response to the devastating opioid overdose crisis, Seattle is at the forefront of innovative solutions that will save lives,” Mayor Bruce Harrell said. “It’s an honor to celebrate the 100th administration of this evidence-based program that increases the chances that people recovering from an overdose or suffering withdrawal will say ‘yes’ to treatment and care. With a new post-overdose center coming online this month and our increased investments in treatment options, we are building a network of support for our family, friends, and neighbors taking the first step on their pathway to recovery.”
Seattle overdose deaths are down 20% from 2024 and 36% from 2023, King County medical examiners report.
Since the pilot began, paramedics have used buprenorphine 48 times and firefighter/EMTs 100 times, covering 148 overdose calls. Some of those patients needed more than one dose.
The department has 54 paramedics and 19 trained firefighter/EMTs, but its Health 99 overdose team now leads field dosing. Crews handle about 63 overdose calls weekly, and Health 99 has answered more than 1,376 since July 2023.
