WAREHAM – In an effort to keep the public informed as to the crisis surrounding opioids, Wareham police officers responded to 20 overdose incidents during the month of February. Two of the incidents proved to be fatal.
On many of these calls life-saving instructions were provided by our communications officers prior to the arrival of police officers on the scene. This is a snapshot of just some of the responses during the month.
• Officer Ryan Gomes and Peter Silvia administered Narcan and performed CPR in an effort to revive an individual. Communications Supervisor Edward Johnson performed Emergency Medical Dispatch procedures with a caller for several minutes in an effort to save a life.
• Officers Justin Silveira and Lorenzo Grosso successfully revived an individual with Narcan and CPR. Communications Officer Scott McDaniel gave CPR instructions on the phone to the caller for five minutes during this incident.
• Officers Silveira and Scott Cowan administered Narcan on a recent call. On this particular incident Communications Officer Taylor Nelson had received a 911 hang-up at the station, called the person back, and began life saving EMD instructions.
• Officers Grosso, Robert McLain, and Eric Machado administered Narcan at one incident resulting in another save.
• Officers Calib Larue and Stephen Harrison administered CPR and Narcan on one call; however the incident was fatal to the person. Communications Officer Christian Tobia had just begun EMD procedures when the officers arrived.
• Officers Zina Kelsch and Steve Joy administered Narcan and performed CPR resulting in a save. Communications Officer Sabina Flaherty had started the life-saving process prior to arrival of any emergency responders.
• Officers Grosso and Chris Corner used Narcan on a call after Communications Officer McDaniel had given EMD instructions to the caller. This incident resulted in yet another save.
• At one incident, there were two individuals who had overdosed and were both saved because of a combination of immediate action by Communications Officer Judith Holleran, and responding Officers Larue and Jennifer Braley administering Narcan.
• Communications Officer McDaniel along with Officers James White and Charles Pillsbury teamed up to assist in saving another life during a call late in the month.
Chief of Police John Walcek said, “We work seamlessly with our public safety partners, Wareham EMS, Wareham Fire, and Onset Fire on these calls. Our officers have a great working relationship with them which benefits Wareham.”
