TACOMA, Wash. — The Tacoma Fire Department launched the first Safe Station program Wednesday in Washington State, according to a city release.
"Today we join 39 other cities across the country in deploying a program to address opioid use disorder and taking action to end the heartbreak, suffering and damage opioids cause to individuals, families and the community as a whole. We know we must be ready to help individuals who ask for help as rapidly as possible and connect them with services, and the Safe Station program is designed to do that," Deputy Mayor Conor McCarthy said.
The program will be available 24 hours a day every day at fire Station 1, which is at 901 Fawcett Ave. It will be available for those who seek help in healing and recovery from opioid use.
"First responders are on the frontlines in addressing the opioid epidemic," said Tacoma Fire Chief Tory Green. "We see the impacts opioid use disorder is having on people and their families, and we are committed to finding innovative ways to offer aid."
Those who use the program will receive free services that include medical assessment, transportation to a medical facility, as needed, addictions treatment assessment for outpatient services and first medication for opioid use disorder, as needed, and connection to long-term treatment services, according to the release.
Officials said the program is modeled after another fire department's program in Manchester, New Hampshire.
More news from KIRO 7