The Seattle Fire Department (SFD) is expanding its Buprenorphine Pilot Program and Seattle will be the first city in the nation with a program for firefighters/emergency medical technicians (EMTs) to administer the medicine in the field. SFD paramedics began administering the drug earlier this year, and now an initial group of firefighter/EMTs will be trained as well. This will expand the City’s capacity to provide this potentially life-saving medicine to patients who are actively experiencing severe opioid withdrawal. “Providing treatment for people suffering from substance use disorder and addiction is the right thing to do and the smart thing to do. People treated with this highly effective and evidence-backed medication are likelier to agree to follow-up care and conversations, an essential step to breaking the cycle and getting them the help they need,” said Mayor Bruce Harrell.