Emergency responders from across Door and Kewaunee counties joined more than 250 personnel statewide last month for a first-of-its-kind series of Overdose Prevention Summits hosted by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS).
The summits, held across each of Wisconsin’s five regions, brought together first responders, public health officials and emergency service leaders from 130 agencies to strengthen local overdose prevention efforts and improve coordination among agencies on the front lines of the opioid crisis.
“There were actually five regional convenings, bringing together first responders to learn from each other about overdose prevention,” said Paula Tran, the state health officer and administrator for the Division of Public Health at DHS.
Tran said the role of emergency personnel remains central in responding to overdoses, particularly in rural communities where ambulance response times and access to treatment services can vary widely.
“The role of first responders is so critical to overdose prevention, especially being on the front lines,” Tran said.
In Northeast Wisconsin, including Door and Kewaunee counties, responders often face unique challenges tied to geography, limited staffing and long travel distances between communities. Many rural departments rely on volunteer EMS crews and coordination between sheriff’s offices, local police departments and neighboring agencies when responding to overdose calls.
The regional summits focused on practical strategies agencies are using to combat rising overdose numbers, including expanded naloxone access, post-overdose outreach programs, partnerships with behavioral health providers and data-sharing efforts among departments.
“There are a full range of approaches and innovative strategies that we are learning about, and that was the focus of this summit,” Tran said. “So folks could share some of their best practices across the state from the field.”
State health officials said the gatherings were designed not only to provide training but also to encourage collaboration between public health agencies, law enforcement, EMS providers, fire departments and recovery organizations.
“It really takes the whole community type of response to meet people where they are and get them the help that they need,” Tran said.
The DHS initiative comes as Wisconsin continues to direct opioid settlement funding and federal grant dollars toward prevention, treatment and recovery programs amid the growing presence of synthetic opioids, including fentanyl, in drug supplies statewide.
Tran said continued communication between agencies and communities will remain essential as the state works to reduce overdose deaths and improve access to care.
“There is much to be learned statewide and the more we are working together and collaborating, the better,” she said.
