Bridgeport says it has a plan for drug outbreak

BRIDGEPORT — On a day

Fire Chief Richard Thode received a national fire safety award, he, the mayor and the director of emergency management took the opportunity to warn residents of the debilitating effects of synthetic-laced marijuana.

Their comments came just days after more than 100 people required medical treatment when overdosing on manufactured strains of synthetic marijuana on the New Haven Green.

“If you are someone who could be someone who indulges in something like this and think its nonchalant, think about it twice,” Mayor Joe Ganim warned. “This is life-threatening, could be life-altering . ... This is serious ... whether we are prepared or not to respond.”

Both Thode and Scott Appleby, the city’s director of emergency management and homeland security, said the city has a mass casualty plan in place should something similar happen here. Bridgeport’s plan was developed during the years of the Gathering of the Vibes concerts in Seaside Park. Multiple overdoses often occurred during the weekend event.

“The Bridgeport Fire Department responds to 10,000 calls for medical assistance every year,” Thode said. “All our trucks are equipped with defibrillators and Narcan — which is used to counteract opioid overdoses.”

Thode said every apparatus carries multiple doses of Narcan both to be used on the victim and if necessary for firefighters should they be accidentally exposed to fentanyl.

He said if an event similar to the one on the New Haven Green happened in Bridgeport, his department would work closely with the police and American Medical Response teams. If necessary, they could call for help from fire departments in nearby towns.

Additionally, Thode said the city’s Nexgen radio reporting system would pinpoint outbreak areas quickly.

And if the city ran out of Narcan?

Appleby said they would turn to the state and federal government for help.

He said AMR could obtain supplies from California within 24 hours.

Moments earlier Ganim presented Thode with a plaque and statue from the International Association of Fire Chiefs. The Alan Brunacini Executive Safety Award is presented annually to a chief who has exhibited a commitment to fire service, safety, health and survival in his department.

During his time as chief, Thode has obtained grants, traded in old equipment and purchased new equipment within his budget constraints. These include a complete second set of turnout gear for each firefighter and an extractor to remove contaminants from used gear.

He’s also obtained new radios, new X3 air packs and compressors to fill them, new Rapid Intervention kits and special meters that check for cyanide in smoke. He’s also gotten a tracker that sends out a radio beacon to track the location of a fallen firefighter, new hoses and nozzles and more in the past 18 months.

“We know we have an outstanding individual leading our department,” Ganim said. “But when peers around the country recognize you ... that is probably ... the greatest kind of pat on the back award.”