Cop Single-Handedly Armed His Department with Epinephrine Auto-Injectors. Let’s Commend Him

Epinephrine is the only drug that can halt and reverse the progression of anaphylaxis — a life-threatening allergic reaction — but it must be administered soon upon onset of symptoms to provide the best outcomes.

Police officers are often equipped with a first aid kit, but many do not have access to stock epinephrine, i.e. epinephrine for general emergency use that is not prescribed to an individual. In the cases where they respond to a victim of anaphylaxis, they often must call in paramedics, wasting valuable time that could mean the difference between life and death.

That was the case last year for the Franklin, MA Police Department until one officer took it upon himself to make an important change.

Officer Dave Ricci is a department medical instructor who served in the US Navy as a corpsman. One of his colleagues brought it to his attention that the department’s medical kits did not include epinephrine auto-injectors.

All the department’s officers receive annual medical training, which includes administering epinephrine auto-injectors. Ricci realized that this was an opportunity for his department to add another tool to their medical kits, one that could potentially save lives.

Very few police departments in the state carry epinephrine, so Ricci obtained permission from his department and went to work crafting a proposal.

The proposal included a description of the program; the resources to acquire the medication; the laws allowing us to carry and administer the medication; the benefits of carrying the medication; the risks of administering the medication; a list of calls for service related to potential anaphylaxis; and a cost analysis to determine yearly expenditures. He obtained a memorandum of agreement from the Medical Advisor for police departments in the state and a controlled substance registration through the Department of Public Health.

After sign-off from the chief, epinephrine auto-injectors were purchased for the department. On any given shift there are now six auto-injectors ready for use.

Thus far, the program has been instrumental in helping people who find themselves in the the throes of anaphylaxis. As an example, the department recently responded to a call from an individual suffering anaphylaxis from a bee sting who had not been previously diagnosed as allergic to bee venom. An officer from the department was able to act quickly, administering epinephrine and potentially saving the victim’s life.

We wholeheartedly congratulate Officer Dave Ricci for his efforts in bringing epinephrine to his department. He is an unsung hero who should serve as an example to other departments nationwide that individuals can change their departments for the better.

Feel free to commend Officer Ricci for his efforts on the Franklin MA Police Department site using this form.

Do you know if responders from your local police, fire, and ambulance departments routinely carry epinephrine? Check to make sure you understand how your family is protected in an anaphylactic emergency.