MCFRS Leave-Behind Narcan
Montgomery County is experiencing a drastic increase in Opioid-Related Intoxication Deaths. MoCo fatalities specifically involving Fentanyl rose over 34% percent from 2019 to 2020. In light of these climbing trends, Maryland Department of Health, Montgomery County Health and Human Services, and Fire/Rescue are partnering to get Narcan out into the community so that it can reach overdose victims quickly.
Effective August 2021, the EMIHS Leave-Behind Narcan program will expand. Pre-assembled Narcan kits will be placed on every front-line apparatus and Fire Department vehicle. Kits will also be kept at every firehouse. These kits include two (2) 4mg doses of "Naloxone" (nasal administration Narcan). They also include literature about county resources for those suffering from addiction.
Each kit is housed in a red bag labeled with the Montgomery County logo. They will also have a QR code on them that will bring you to this site and a letter/number identification (i.e. "A22", "B22", "C22", etc.).
Please note that kits can be given out to whoever wants one. They do not have to be connected to an overdose call, or even an incident. The County’s goal is to get as much Narcan out into the community as possible, so please distribute the kits to anyone who asks for one or could benefit from one.
Leave-Behind Narcan Kit
Where are the kits and how many do we have?
Inventory level will be two (2) kits on every piece of apparatus and five (5) kits in every firehouse. We may make adjustments based on how frequently kits are being given out. More info forthcoming on where kits will be stored in apparatus.
Who should we give kits to?
Anybody and Everybody. Narcan administered prior to EMS arrival may save a life, and is often used on an overdose patient other than the person for whom the original distribution is intended. You have discretion to distribute a kit to anybody who wants one and any time you think it’s warranted. Leave-Behind Narcan is part of a public health effort to stop Fentanyl (and all opioid) deaths.
Seriously. Anyone who wants a kit can have one. You should offer them on every overdose call you run, even if it is not opiate-related. The kit you distribute may save the life of a neighbor, friend, visitor or family member of the person you encountered.
Kits can be given out at pub-ed events, in neighborhoods where you've run recent overdoses, the only limit is your imagination. Just please document the kits you give out.
How do I document giving someone a Leave-Behind Kit?
Was the kit given on an EMS call? Document it in eMeds (see below).
Was the kit given out in any situation other than an EMS call? Use the jotform.
Still confused? We made you a flow chart.
How do we get more kits?
Logistics should be keeping up with restock automatically, but you can always contact them if you need more. You can complete this form to request more kits.
What if the kit is expired?
Kits that have passed their expiration date can not be given out to patients. If they have already been given to someone and expire while in their possession, they should be held on to. Narcan is good for 3-4 years past expiration. If you have expired kits on your unit or in your station, please set them aside and EMIHS will collect them.
Do I need to call the EMS DO anymore for Leave-Behind Narcan?
You shouldn't. But as always, if you need assistance or guidance, give them a call. They will still carry leave-behind kits for distribution as well.
Where is information on Substance Use help in MoCo?
Each kit contains a card with phone numbers for treatment resources in the County. You can direct people to https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/opioids/ as well.
The Opioid Crisis Page
Located on left menu
Opioid Crisis Questions
Document all Narcan Use (including Prior to EMS Arrival)
Narrative Page
Document Kit Identification Number
Embedded JotForm