NW Ohio Times

State Representative Haraz N. Ghanbari, in collaboration with the Wood County Health Department and local first responders, has announced a new training initiative aimed at teaching tow truck drivers and other non-traditional first responders how to administer naloxone, also known as Narcan. This training is particularly significant for those who may be the first on the scene of an emergency.

Ghanbari emphasized the importance of this training by stating, “Incidents have occurred here in Ohio, and across the country, where our first responders have been exposed to illicit drugs that subsequently required the use of naloxone. Our tow truck drivers, and others not usually equipped or trained on the use of naloxone, work side by side with our police, fire and EMS personnel, so this training is vital to them as well.”

The program will be conducted in partnership with Ohio Department of Health’s project DAWN. Participants will learn about overdose mechanisms and signs while receiving Narcan at no cost through support from Project DAWN and the Health Department.

Wood County Health Commissioner Benjamin Robison remarked on the health department's role: “As a health department, this is part of what we do. It is our job to bring community partners together to identify risks and their root causes. As long as substance use disorder exists, there is a risk to our first responders as well. This initiative can help mitigate that risk.”

Additionally, Wood County Health Department is ready to assist other counties in Ohio interested in adopting similar programs.

Amanda Kern from Wood County ADAMHS Board expressed satisfaction with being involved in such initiatives: “At the Wood County ADAMHS Board, we are so pleased to be part of an initiative that can help wrap support around our first responders as they go out every day and meet the needs of our community. Naloxone saves lives and also becomes that bridge to recovery.”

Jeff Klein from Wood County EMA highlighted the importance of education: “Every layer of protection we can add for our first responders is critical,” he said. “By educating more people, Wood County is building a stronger, more prepared community that can combat the opioid crisis head-on.”

The announcement was attended by several officials including Chief Deputy Rod Konrad from Wood County Sheriff Office; Staff Lieutenant Scott Wyckhouse from Ohio State Highway Patrol; Lieutenant Jason Gladney from Perrysburg Township Police; and Assistant Fire Chief Luke Ward from Bowling Green.