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Ride along with SF Fire and the Street Overdose Response Team

Ride along with the Street Overdose Response Team

Transcript[siren wailing] We just heard an overdose go out.Looks like somebody's at a bus stop.Unknown male OD'ing -- that's all the information we have.We have an engine with a paramedic,as well as an ambulance with a paramedic on board, responding. We're gonna be another additional layer to this responseand kind of try to begin care for this person at the scene. [siren wailing] Fentanyl's been a game-changer.It's been a game-changer nationwideand a game-changer here in San Francisco.The vast majority of drug overdose deathshere in San Francisco involve opioids,and the vast majority of those involve fentanyl. [indistinct conversations] The first responders and paramedics in the San FranciscoFire Department respond to literally dozens of overdoses every day.Community paramedics have the ability to transport folks directlyfrom the street to a variety of non-emergency serviceslike shelters, mental health drop-ins, substance-use-disorder treatment,or even bringing someone to a pharmacy or bringing someone to urgent care. [siren wailing] The fire department's seeingover approximately a dozen overdoses a day. Those are just the overdoses that we know aboutinside of the 911 system. We know that there are many, many more occurring that are never reported.But the overdoses that this team focuses onare the ones that are part of the 911 systemand folks that we know aboutand can begin influencing their care right away.30% of overdose deaths are unhoused individuals.Approximately 5% of San Franciscansare people of color,but they represent 25% of overdose deathshere in the city. To see numbers like thatand to watch that just cut down peoplewas really hard.And it was a little demoralizing after a whilewhen you realize there's very little --We are the "come after the facts," not before.[indistinct conversations][horn honks]What was the call? Came in as an OD. Girl from across the street called.Are you interested in a shelter bed today?Not really -- I just want to recuperate and a lift...Where would you like a taxi voucher to?The streets -- Mission and 6th.What do you -- What's down there for you?-A friend's house. -A friend's house.Well, I can't -- I can't do a transport or a taxi voucherto a friend's house, but I can give you a taxi voucherand get you into a shelter today.I don't want to go to a shelter.I could see about getting you a ride to the Lincoln Center.Do you know the Lincoln Center at Market and 7th?-Yeah, okay, okay.-Would you like to go there? -Yeah.-You would? -Yes.-Okay.This individual, we believe, was discharged from the hospital within the past 15 minutes.She's here at a bus stop.We can tell from our medical recordsshe's a high utilizer of 911 systems.We could transport this person directly to shelterfrom the street in the context of a 911 call.But, for a variety of reasons, she's declining.This initially came out as an overdose.There might be an opioid component.It's unclear at this time, but either way,this is a very vulnerable, unhoused individualwho's essentially relying on the 911 systemfor their primary care.-Okay. 100%.-Folks who survive overdosesare at very, very high risk of future mortality.So when this team -- this rapid response team --has contact with an individual,the data from that encounter is automatically transferredto our Department of Public Health colleagues,and their goal is to follow up with these folkswithin 72 hours. [siren wailing][indistinct conversations] -We are on the outreach van.We have a list of probably about nine people we're going to seein the next two hours -- or at least try to find.These are all people that have had a non-fatal overdose.And what our job is, is to follow up with peoplein that critical first 24 to 72 hoursafter a non-fatal overdose,when -- where someone's at an even higher riskof overdosing again.-How many overdoses has he had?-So, he's had a couple, even in the past month.-So we are basically going to see himto kind of see what happenedand just kind of do a -- like, debrief about what happened,to see what he's willing to doto kind of reduce -- to reduce his risk.[birds chirping]-[speaking indistinctly]-And where is our patient, he said?-He said he hasn't been seen in three days. [engine rumbling] When our feet hit the ground,we know exactly what we're meant to do that day,and we're going to try to change someone's life.And it could be one, and we could fail, right?But we're just going to get up and try again.Starting [buprenorphine] is a great start.I just want to make sure that whatever you think you wantand whatever's going to work for youthat we're supporting you in any way we can.So today it looks like we looked for six, five.We were able to make contact with one in facility,and we have a care plan for him.Five we were unable to locate and can pick that up on Monday.Does that sound about right, guys?-Yes. -All right. Okay.Everybody has a right to have someone care about themor fight for them.It's super personal. All of this is personal.It's absolutely personal.

SFFD paramedic responds to a call

• Overdose deaths are preventable.
 
• <a>San Francisco is experiencing record numbers of drug overdose deaths, in part due to fentanyl.</a>
 
• People who survive an overdose are at heightened risk for a future overdose.
 
• Homelessness, racism, poverty and trauma contribute to substance use and overdose risk.
 
• About half of the people who die from a drug overdose in San Francisco had prior contact with our emergency services.

What do we know about overdose deaths?

Paramedics and a public health nurse respond to a call

• The team launched in August 2021 as a collaboration between the San Francisco Department of Public Health and the San Francisco Fire Department.
 
• We respond to people immediately after an overdose, and again within 72-hours, to connect people to care and treatment.
 
• Support may include lifesaving naloxone, treatment medicine, supportive counseling and guidance getting substance use treatment, housing or shelter.
 
• The team includes a Community Paramedic, a Street Medicine Clinician, peer counselors and other specialists.
 
• The team operates citywide, 12 hours per day, 7 days per week.

What is the Street Overdose Response Team?

Michael Mercer (SFFD paramedic), Kevin Lagor (DPH clinician) and Dr. Barry Zevin (DPH)

Street OD Response team

• Expanded staffing and hours to be able to have more coverage.
 
• Case list expansion to support more San Franciscans at the highest risk of overdose.

What's next?

Street Overdose Response Team ds black_0.png

We protect and promote the health of all San Franciscans.

Department of Public Health

SFFD protects San Franciscans from fires and natural disasters, through education and emergency services.

Fire Department

The Street Overdose Response Team provides care, resources, and support to people who experience an overdose.

Street Medicine Team outside of Tom Waddell Clinic

The Street Overdose Response Team

The Street Overdose Response Team

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