BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – The Burlington Fire Department is implementing what is called the “PREVENT initiative” to combat the opioid crisis in the Queen City.

It stands for Vermont EMS Buprenorphine Prehospital Treatment. The program will allow paramedics to administer buprenorphine after an overdose, a key medication in the treatment of opioid use disorder.

Each ambulance is stocked with supplies, including water, to facilitate the administration of buprenorphine film strips. Prior to administration, EMS personnel will consult medical leadership for guidance.

BFD device phones and tablets have been equipped with the MDCalc application, enabling rapid and accurate calculation of Clinical Opioid Withdrawal Scale (COWS) scores.

Teams will also be able to refer patients to local recovery programs. The department will be the first in the country to deploy this.

Officials say this is a monumental opportunity for Burlington.

“This initiative marks a turning point in our community’s fight against the opioid epidemic,” said Emergency Medical Services Chief McCombie. “By enabling AEMTs and paramedics to administer buprenorphine, we are closing a critical gap in care and paving the way for healthier outcomes for the patients we serve.” This is an important day for Burlington, Vermont and EMS nationwide.

The ministry says the program is complex and is committed to ongoing training, feedback and improvements as the initiative evolves.

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