The Port Washington Police & Fire Commission heard a proposal to pilot a naloxone "hope kit" that firefighters would leave with people revived from opioid overdoses when they refuse hospital transport.

Fire Chief Joe told commissioners the kit would include naloxone (Narcan), fentanyl test strips, a CPR mask and resource information linking recipients to treatment and care-management services. "It's essentially a naloxone or a Narcan leave behind program," he said, adding that the county public health agency and the sheriff's department are partners in the effort.

Chief Joe said the plan is intended for situations when crews revive someone and the person declines transport to a hospital. "A lot of times when we revive somebody with Narcan, they refuse transport to the hospital," he said. The kit is meant to give a tool and resources to reduce the risk of a repeat fatal overdose.

Commissioner (S5) asked whether people revived might be committing crimes; Chief Joe and Police Chief (S6) said refusal of transport does not automatically mean arrest. "They do not have to go to the hospital, and they are not placed under arrest unless they have something on their persons," the fire chief said.

Funding and logistics: Chief Joe said the county already runs Narcan dispensing programs and that opioid-settlement dollars and county public-health grants will help underwrite the program, limiting cost to the city. He estimated the material cost per kit would be modest and said the department hopes to have the program up and running by January after completing reporting paperwork and assembling kits.

The fire chief said the kits will include resource information developed in coordination with Washington Ozaukee Public Health and the sheriff's department to connect people with treatment and care management if they choose it. "We're able to underwrite the entire program, so it'll be at no cost to the department," he said.

Next steps: commissioners asked for a short written summary for posting on social media; the chief said they have completed most interagency meetings and need only final reporting steps before assembling the kits.