15 August 2023, 12:21
Legislative Council of Victoria, Melbourne
David ETTERSHANK (Western Metropolitan):
My question is for the Minister for Emergency Services. Naloxone nasal spray can reverse the life-threatening effects of a known or suspected opioid overdose. It is easy to administer and it is life saving. We have just heard today in the media that Western Australian police can now carry Naloxone spray, following the lead of many jurisdictions overseas.
But of course police are not the only first responders, and as we know from locations like Frankston and North Richmond, quite often it is our fire services who are the first on the scene in an overdose. So I ask the minister: has she given any thought to equipping Fire Rescue Victoria personnel with Naloxone for this purpose?
The Hon. Jaclyn SYMES (Minister for Emergency Services):
I thank Mr Ettershank for his question and indeed his acknowledgement of our hardworking first responders – often, regardless of which agency it is, they turn out for Victorians that are in need. There are a few examples of where particularly our firefighters carry equipment in relation to responding to health needs.
Your direct question was, ‘Have you given consideration to Naloxone in relation to what firefighters might carry?’, and I have not given specific consideration to that.
There are trials of other equipment that our firefighters’ trucks are equipped with, and there is obviously a lot of training that goes in relation to that. I am not saying no, but there will be a lot of conversations before we expand the current trial, which has only just started, to other provisions of health care.
[Ends]
