Falmouth ER closed for hours, ambulances diverted after combative...

FALMOUTH FIRE/RESCUE MEDIA STATEMENT:

At approximately 2:00 p.m. [yesterday], the Falmouth Fire Rescue responded to the Falmouth Hospital campus to assist the Falmouth Police Department with an evaluation of a male subject found outside on a bench. The patient was evaluated and transported to the Falmouth Hospital Emergency Room.

During the process of transferring the patient, the individual became combative and while trying to control the situation several public safety personnel and hospital staff were exposed to a substance that was on the patient. As a result, personnel quickly developed symptoms of light headiness and other similar effects and at least 3 personnel required administration of Narcan because of this exposure.

Due to this evolving incident and in consultation with the hospital administration, a decision was made to place the Emergency Room on diversion and incoming ambulance transports were directed to other areas hospitals.

The patient was isolated in a treatment room and due to the nature of this unknown substance, a request for the State HazMat team was made.

When on scene they developed a plan to identify the substance and then to determine the extent of the contamination and then to decide on the best course of action to decontaminate the area, ambulances, and personnel. Resources from the Department of Fire Services responded to support the HazMat teams during this operation to assist our department.

It was eventually determined that the substance contained fentanyl, a very potent opioid drug, as well as other detected chemicals.

After an extensive decontamination process, the areas of exposure were deemed safe, and the Emergency Room services were returned to normal operations on or about 7:00 p.m. All exposed public safety personnel and hospital staff were evaluated and released and reported no further symptoms after the initial exposure.

We wish to extend our sincere appreciation for the response from the Department of Fire Services (DFS) and members of the State HazMat team for their professional and expert assistance. In addition, personnel from the DFS Special Operations Rehab services and the Canteen unit from the Providence Special Signal Association were on hand to support personnel on the scene – Chief Timothy R. Smith of Falmouth Fire/Rescue.

[FFD Images/HN lettering & edits]

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