Canadian Firefighter/Paramedic Treated With Narcan After Suspected Fentanyl Exposure

A firefighter/paramedic in Winnipeg, Canada had to receive treatment with naloxone after suspected exposure to fentanyl while on duty, CBC News Manitoba reports.

The paramedic was responding to a possible fentanyl overdose at a residence and began having trouble with his throat, says Alex Forrest, president of the United Firefighters of Winnipeg.

Forrest told CBC News Manitoba said the paramedic started experiencing the effects immediately after returning to the firetruck after helping the overdose victim. Forrest says he was feeling high and was experiencing some respiratory distress. 

When the paramedic returned to the fire hall, paramedics administered Narcan.

Forrest told CBC News Manitoba that no further tests were done at the time, so they aren't sure what exactly the substance was that the paramedic was exposed to. He says he believes this is the first case where a Winnipeg first responders has accidentally ingested a dangerous amount of a drug.

The paramedic is shaken up, but has made a full recovery and is already back to work, Forrest says.

First responders in the Winnipeg area have been on high alert to the dangers of accidental exposure due to a concerns about fentanyl and carfentanil, Forrest told CBC News Manitoba. On Saturday, Manitoba Health Minister Kelvin Goertzen will meet with other provincial health ministers and federal Health Minister Jane Philpott to discuss a national approach to fentanyl and carfentanil.​