Opioid Awareness and Narcan Training- Partnering for a cause

North Massapequa Fire Department and Fire District Join with YES Community Council in Hosting Another Public Forum on the Local Opioid Epidemic

Recognizing the increasingly negative impact the local opioid epidemic has had on the community, the North Massapequa Fire Department and the North Massapequa Fire District have once again partnered with YES Community Council in Massapequa to host an another informative seminar on the subject on Wednesday, November 29 at 7 PM at North Massapequa Fire Department headquarters, located at 1000 Broadway in North Massapequa.

"This is the second seminar we have held this year about this important issue," North Massapequa Fire Department Chief Fred Ferrara said. "It is a true crisis for our community and we intend to take a lead role in finding lifesaving solutions. Unfortunately we respond to an excessive amount of overdoses due to opioids like heroin and prescription painkillers like Oxycodone and we have had to save peoples' lives through the administration of Narcan. Narcan is a prescription medicine that blocks the effects of opioids and can reverse an overdose."

Chief Ferrara said he strongly believes in the necessity to better educate the public as to the dangers inherent with these drugs, as well as preventative measures and support services available. "Making this information available to our local community will be an important first step in significantly reducing the impact this epidemic has created," he said.

Commissioners from the North Massapequa Fire District have been proactive with the problem by forming a working partnership with YES Community Counseling Center, which is based in Massapequa and Levittown, to conduct informative seminars on the opioid epidemic, which will be held in the fire department's community meeting room.

YES, under the leadership of Executive Director Jamie Bogenshutz, has been providing important support services to the community for more than 40 years. Its mission is to increase awareness about personal and community issues, prevent and treat substance abuse, and to promote healthy families and a safe community.

"YES has an extensive out reach program, which is a perfect fit to lead our educational effort on the state of the opioids problem, nuances to substance abuse and the availability of treatment," Fire Commissioner Ralph Raymond said. "YES and the fire service have a lot in common, overseeing the welfare of our local residents. We are so proud to partner with this outstanding organization and look forward to once again reaching out to our community and saving lives together."

Commissioner Jack Smalley said the success of the department’s prior seminar demonstrated the community’s overwhelming support behind the initiative. "Our residents understand that it's everybody's job to address this problem head on," Commissioner Smalley said. "Education really is a vital component in providing a remedy to this crisis and this seminar is packed with vital information."

For more information and to register for the seminar, residents should contact the North Massapequa Fire Department's website at www.nmfd-660.com or call the Chief's office at 516-579-0900. Seating is limited, so it is important to register as soon as possible.

"I hope to see everyone on November 29th," Chief Ferrara said. "Let's resolve this critical issue together."