The Seattle Fire Department has reported that firefighter/EMTs administered buprenorphine for the 100th time in August as part of its pilot program to treat people experiencing opioid overdose or withdrawal.
The department explained that the pilot began in early 2024 with paramedics and was expanded later that year to include firefighter/EMTs, making Seattle the first city in the United States to allow that rank to administer the drug.
Mayor Bruce Harrell said: “As the first city in the nation to operationalize firefighter/EMTs administering buprenorphine in response to the devastating opioid overdose crisis, Seattle is at the forefront of innovative solutions that will save lives.
“It’s an honor to celebrate the 100th administration of this evidence-based program that increases the chances that people recovering from an overdose or suffering withdrawal will say ‘yes’ to treatment and care.
“With a new post-overdose center coming online this month and our increased investments in treatment options, we are building a network of support for our family, friends, and neighbors taking the first step on their pathway to recovery.”
According to the Seattle Fire Department, buprenorphine has been administered to a total of 148 patients since the pilot started, with 48 administrations by paramedics and 100 by firefighter/EMTs.
The department said some patients required more than one treatment, and dosages varied depending on need.
The Seattle Fire Department currently has about 54 paramedics and 19 firefighter/EMTs trained to provide the medication in the field.
Chief Harold Scoggins said: “The fire department will always invest in taking steps to improve our patient care in the field.
“Through the expansion of allowing our firefighter/EMTs to administer buprenorphine, we continue to strive to fulfill our mission of saving lives by meeting patients where they are at in life.
“This program has proven time and time again that patients who receive this medication are more open to discussions about follow-up treatment, and our Health 99 and Health One units are well equipped to navigate those conversations.”
According to the King County Medical Examiner’s Office, overdose deaths in Seattle have decreased 20 percent in 2025 compared with 2024, and 36 percent compared with 2023.
The Seattle Fire Department reported that it currently responds to around 63 overdose patients per week across the city.
The department said that its Health 99 unit, launched in July 2023, has handled more than 1,376 overdose cases.
Mobile Integrated Health Program Manager Jon Ehrenfeld said: “Over the past nine months, we have witnessed firsthand how transformative field buprenorphine can be for immediate overdose response.
“This medication relieves withdrawal symptoms, protects against overdose and provides an unparalleled opportunity for our clients to begin the process of recovery.
“This team has set a national example for how EMS systems can be part of the solution for opioid use disorders.”
The Seattle Fire Department stated that DESC will open the Opioid Recovery & Care Access (ORCA) Center later in August.
It said the new facility will offer 24/7 stabilization for up to eight people after an overdose.
The department noted that the program is supported by $3.37 million in capital funding through the City of Seattle, using a US Department of Housing and Urban Development Community Development Block Grant.
The funding forms part of a $27 million package announced in Mayor Harrell’s 2023 executive order on the opioid and synthetic drug crisis.
DESC Executive Director Daniel Malone said: “We congratulate the Seattle Fire Department on this groundbreaking achievement and their continuous innovation in addressing the overdose crisis, including bringing buprenorphine directly to patients in the field.
“By taking these bold steps, SFD is setting a new national standard for compassionate, science-based care. DESC is proud to partner with SFD, continuing treatment for many of these patients through our Crisis Solutions Center and Opioid Treatment Network.
“We are especially excited to build on this partnership with the opening of our Opioid Recovery & Care Access (ORCA) Center in the coming weeks, which will provide SFD a new place to refer overdose survivors for additional stabilization and ongoing care.”
Washington Secretary of Health Dennis Worsham said: “This program brings a life-saving medication closer to people in crisis — a step that will save lives and connect those with opioid use disorder to recovery resources.
“Preventing an overdose is critical, and helping our neighbors begin recovery is a success that benefits our entire community.”
Seattle Human Services Department Director Tanya Kim said: “Reaching the 100th administration of buprenorphine is an important milestone in our response to the opioid crisis.
“Our HSD caseworkers work alongside the Fire Department to provide immediate support and connect people to services.
“This partnership ensures that life-saving care in the field is linked to the resources and guidance people need to begin recovery.”
SFD Medical Director Dr. Michael Sayre added: “Buprenorphine is allowing us to move beyond reversal of overdose to true engagement.
“Relieving withdrawal symptoms in the field creates the space to talk with patients about recovery and initiate follow-up care.
“Reaching 100 patients treated by EMTs is an important step in demonstrating the effectiveness and scalability of this strategy.”
The Seattle Fire Department shared two examples from its Health 99 unit showing how the program is being applied in the field.
In one case, responders treated a patient in West Seattle who had received Narcan but was showing withdrawal symptoms.
Firefighter/EMTs administered buprenorphine and provided follow-up guidance including prescriptions and options for injectable forms of treatment.
In another case, Health 99 administered buprenorphine to a patient in Belltown.
Once his symptoms eased, the patient was connected to the DESC Opioid Treatment Network, received further medication, and continued with planned recovery and family reconnection.
The Seattle Fire Department program illustrates how emergency services can extend their scope of practice in response to opioid-related public health needs.
The model shows how EMTs can be trained to administer medications that were previously restricted to paramedics, expanding access to treatment.
It also highlights the integration of emergency response with social and health services, demonstrating how patient engagement can be improved after overdose reversal.
The Seattle case provides an example for other departments considering similar collaborations between fire services, medical providers, and community health partners.
The Seattle Fire Department reported that firefighter/EMTs administered buprenorphine for the 100th time in August 2025.
The pilot program began with paramedics in early 2024 and expanded to EMTs later that year.
Seattle is the first US city to allow firefighter/EMTs to provide buprenorphine in the field.
Since the launch, 148 administrations have been reported, with 48 by paramedics and 100 by EMTs.
Overdose deaths in Seattle have decreased 20 percent from 2024 and 36 percent from 2023.
The King County Medical Examiner’s Office provided the data on overdose deaths.
The Seattle Fire Department responds to about 63 overdoses each week.
The Health 99 unit has managed over 1,376 overdose cases since July 2023.
The DESC Opioid Recovery & Care Access (ORCA) Center will open later in August.
The center will provide stabilization for up to eight patients at a time.
The City of Seattle invested $3.37 million in the ORCA Center using HUD funding.
This investment is part of a $27 million package announced in 2023.
