EMS workers take extra precautions after recent ODs linked to animal tranquilizer

BUTLER COUNTY, Pa. — Emergency medical services workers are changing their tactics to keep their own lives safe in light of  recent overdose deaths that have been linked to a drug used to tranquilize elephants.

Officials confirmed

. Channel 11 News learned Wednesday that the drug also killed two people in Butler County late last year and may have killed a third this month.

Just touching carfentanil or it being in the air can kill a human. For that reason, first responders in Butler County are now wearing masks that cover most of their faces.

Renee Summerville, an EMT and nurse, has been with Butler Ambulance for 10 1/2 years, but lately, she says, things have changed and not for the good.

Summerville, a mother of two, said with carfentinal now in southwestern Pennsylvania, she knows every time she responds to an overdose call, it could be deadly for her and her team.

“I just want to make it home to my boys,” she said.

Channel 11’s Amy Marcinkiewicz joined Butler Ambulance for a ride along Wednesday.

Paramedic Tim Gerard told Marcinkiewicz that in just one day, he can see up to three overdoses. He and the other EMTs are also wearing special masks and gloves when responding to the calls.

“We have to cover the mouth, nose and eyes,” Gerard said.

Each rescue vehicle at Butler Ambulance also has a supply of Narcan, an opioid reversal drug.

“It's scary. We have to be careful. I just want to get home to my kids,” Summerville said.

Cox Media Group