Letting cops carry EpiPens
Senator calls for new legislation
ALBANY, N.Y. » Senator Jim Tedisco, R- Glenville, announced Tuesday new public safety legislation he has introduced enabling police officers and members of law enforcement to carry EpiPens to treat people with severe allergic reactions in an emergency.
Epinephrine injectors, also known as “EpiPens,” are used to reverse the effects of severe allergic reactions or anaphy- laxis from bee stings, drug reactions, food allergies or exercise-induced shock.
The list of authorized individuals under New York State law who can administer an EpiPen includes EMTs, children’s overnight camp and summer day camp employees, staff at public and private schools, as well as employees who work at sports and entertainment venues, amusement parks, restaurants, youth organizations and sports leagues, daycare facilities and retail establishments. Law enforcement, who are often the first emergency responders on the scene, are currently not allowed under the law to administer EpiPens.
Tedisco’s legislation, S. 9153, would close this loophole and permit law enforcement officers to carry and administer EpiPens.
“When emergencies happen, seconds count. Our police officers are often the first on the scene when someone dials 911 due to a life-threatening allergic reaction, so it makes imminent sense to enable our highlytrained members of law enforcement the ability to carry EpiPens and help save lives,” said Tedisco in a release. “I want to thank Sheriff Zurlo and the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office for their support for closing this dangerous loophole. I hope we can get this very important public safety legislation passed when the legislature returns to Albany and prevent a tragedy from occurring.”
Often, people who feel they might need an EpiPen carry one and can administer it themselves if need be, however not everyone is in a position to do so, especially during an emergency, said Saratoga County Sheriff Michael Zurlo. “For them, a bee sting or a food allergy may require immediate intervention to save their life. Since equipping law enforcement officers with Narcan several years ago, countless lives have been saved from opioid overdoes. Allowing law enforcement officers to carry and administer EpiPens will further our ability to save lives through rapid intervention when it matters most. I am proud to support this legislation and thank Senator Tedisco for sponsoring and carrying this bill in the New York State Senate,” said Zurlo.