Dangers First Responders Face When Responding to Overdoses

“We think about these things when big news comes about like that, especially in our state,” said Chad Kuhlman, a Rochester firefighter. “We think about our other first responders across the state and the area.”

Kuhlman says when the Rochester Fire Department gets a call of an unresponsive person, they often don’t know if it’s due to an overdose or not … let alone what drugs might be involved. 

“We wear gloves on every call we are on; whether it be an overdose or otherwise,” said Kuhlman. “If we find that it looks to be a big threat or a potential threat to first responders, we might go ahead and put masks on.”

It’s not just firefighters who take caution.

“Drugs like fentanyl and Carfentanil, that is something that deputies can come in contact with,” said David Satzke, the Patrol Captain for the Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office. “We issue all of our deputies’ gloves and personal protection equipment.”

Satzke says last year, deputies were able to save six people by administering naloxone to victims of fentanyl and heroin overdoses. However, these are trained professionals. What happens if an average citizen comes across an unresponsive person?

“As human beings, our first reaction is to help,” said Kuhlman. “Maybe this person suffered a cardiac arrest, maybe they need CPR, maybe they are having a medical issue that’s not an overdose.”

Kuhlman says the first step is always to call 9-1-1. Then, it’s up to the person to use their best judgment; based on the setting. Whether that’s to approach a victim to perform life-saving measures or wait for crews to arrive.