VIDEO: Vermont fire departments are expanding access to a potentially lifesaving resource. Eight cyanide poisoning treatment kits will be placed in fire departments across the state, adding to the three existing kits. The Cyanokits provide quick treatment in the field, which is essential to saving lives in fires and industrial accidents. Cyanide is used in certain building materials and is toxic if inhaled. Officials say that as fire-related injuries and deaths increase, these kits will be a game-changer. โWhen a person is exposed to cyanide poisoning, time is of the essence. Really, by the time they get up to the hospital and a Cyanokit is administered to them, thatโs essentially a little too late. So, having these kits in the field for EMS providers to administer or paramedics to administer is only going to improve their chances of survival,โ said Williston Fire Lt. Tony Simanskas. The Hinesburg fire department has already used the kit once this year. Other kits will be available in Chittenden, Washington, Addison, Caledonia and Bennington counties.
