with first responders to assist individuals with substance use disorders and other medical conditions. Isbell voiced support for medication-assisted treatment (MAT) as a way to assist those affected by the opioid crisis. Based on his observations and communication with multiple community health agencies, he said MAT appears to be an effective treatment method in Texas. Although Isbell recognized MAT may not be the most popular addiction recovery option, he believes it has the potential for saving more lives.
The ability of the program to improve people’s lives have been a motivating factor in the department’s endeavors; as a result, the community has been responsive to it.
Isbell said: “When you know that because of the intervention that you’ve provided, there’s been an improvement of quality of life. That’s life’s work right there, there’s no better feeling.”
He hopes that the program will be able to provide supportive data which could be used to view the fire department’s efforts as a model for nationwide prevention programs.
“This is a direction we need to be turning our focus,” he said. “Our purpose is to care for people and, if we take that to heart, this community risk reduction model is what every fire department should be embracing.”
