SUBJECT/RECOMMENDATION:
Title
Authorize the Clearwater Police Department (CPD) to accept a Florida Department of Health, Helping Emergency Responders Obtain Support (HEROS) Program grant, to update the Department’s Naloxone (Narcan) supply in the valued amount of $11,800 and authorize the appropriate officials to execute same. (consent)
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SUMMARY:
In April 2021, the Resource Management Committee approved submission of a grant application under the Florida Department of Health, Helping Emergency Responders Obtain Support (HEROS) Program. That grant is now awarded and CPD seeks approval to accept it.
The Opioid crisis has significantly impacted the State of Florida and Pinellas County. In 2018, there were 238 opioid-related deaths in Pinellas County, up from 150 in 2015. Pinellas County EMS reported 5,306 overdose related transports in 2019. Clearwater Police Department Officers and Clearwater Fire/Rescue respond to opioid related overdose calls for service on a routine basis.
In 2016, the Clearwater Police Department became the first law enforcement agency in the Tampa Bay Region to deploy opioid antagonist Naloxone, commonly referred to as Narcan, to selected field personnel. In 2017, the Police Department equipped all field personnel with this life saving drug.
In 2019, Clearwater Police Department personnel deployed Narcan 21times and responded to over 280 specific overdose incidents. In 2020, Clearwater Police Department personnel deployed Narcan 26 times and responded to 279 specific overdose incidents.
Providing opioid antagonists, such as Narcan, is a central tenant of the Pinellas County Opioid Task Force’s Strategic Plan.
In January 2021, the Florida Police Chiefs Association (FPCA) made available the Florida Department of Health, Helping Emergency Responders Obtain Support (HEROS) Program to municipal Police Departments. The Police Department applied for, and received, a similar grant award through the HEROS Program in 2018 and, again, in 2020.
The Clearwater Police Department applied for this grant to replace its current Narcan supply; the majority of this supply is set to expire in September 2021. The Clearwater Police Department was awarded a grant allotment, to replace 295 packages of Narcan Nasal Spray (Naloxone HCI, 4mg) or 590 doses. Each officer/field personnel is equipped with two doses of this life saving drug. The approximate value to the grant award is $11,800.
There will be no direct adverse impact to the Police Department annual operating budget nor is there a required match.