EMS: Overdoses down in Austin this spring compared to last year

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Overdoses typically spike in the spring, but Austin-Travis County EMS (ATCEMS) said that’s not the case this year.

Last year, the week before SXSW – two peopled died from overdoses and at least a dozen went to the hospital in what police called an “alarming” 48-hour period.


DEA, APD address increase in downtown overdoses

This prompted the Austin Police Department (APD) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to issue a poignant warning ahead of the festival.

Over the past year, multiple city and county efforts have gone toward curbing overdoses and keeping the deadly drug fentanyl off the streets.

This year, as ATCEMS crews go full throttle on SXSW safety efforts, the agency is happy to report overdose numbers are down.

“They’re not as high as last year, so that’s a good thing,” ATCEMS Commander Eric Gordon said. “I think public messaging and awareness is going really well. I think people are understanding the risk of that and how dangerous using those drugs can be, so I think that is definitely helping.”


‘One death by overdose is too many’: Travis County declares public health crisis

While medics are prepared to respond to overdoses and are stocked up with naloxone – medicine used to treat overdoses – the dip in overdose numbers can give them more space to focus on all of the other downtown medical calls during SXSW.

This is where the ATCEMS field hospital comes in.

ATCEMS said when it comes to its downtown operations during SXSW – it’s like managing a city within a city.

This is a mobile device that can check a patient’s vitals. It can also be used to shock patients experience heartrate issues.

The ATCEMS field hospital is located at 5th and Brazos.

“So the care they receive here is to get that initial treatment, stabilization… and then transport if need be,” Gordon said. “And if it’s something minor, we can handle it here.”

The field hospital is on Fifth Street at Brazos Street.

Anyone who calls 911 for a medical emergency in a geo-fenced area of downtown Austin will get taken to the field hospital in a special response unit — a type of ATV that can move more easily through crowds than an ambulance.

“The goal of that being that we don’t have an impact on the 911 system and take those units away from our community,” Gordon said.

 

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Overdoses typically spike in the spring, but Austin-Travis County EMS (ATCEMS) said that’s not the case this year.

Last year, the week before SXSW – two peopled died from overdoses and at least a dozen went to the hospital in what police called an “alarming” 48-hour period.


DEA, APD address increase in downtown overdoses

This prompted the Austin Police Department (APD) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to issue a poignant warning ahead of the festival.

Over the past year, multiple city and county efforts have gone toward curbing overdoses and keeping the deadly drug fentanyl off the streets.

This year, as ATCEMS crews go full throttle on SXSW safety efforts, the agency is happy to report overdose numbers are down.

“They’re not as high as last year, so that’s a good thing,” ATCEMS Commander Eric Gordon said. “I think public messaging and awareness is going really well. I think people are understanding the risk of that and how dangerous using those drugs can be, so I think that is definitely helping.”


‘One death by overdose is too many’: Travis County declares public health crisis

While medics are prepared to respond to overdoses and are stocked up with naloxone – medicine used to treat overdoses – the dip in overdose numbers can give them more space to focus on all of the other downtown medical calls during SXSW.

This is where the ATCEMS field hospital comes in.

ATCEMS said when it comes to its downtown operations during SXSW – it’s like managing a city within a city.This is a mobile device that can check a patient’s vitals. It can also be used to shock patients experience heartrate issues.The ATCEMS field hospital is located at 5th and Brazos.

“So the care they receive here is to get that initial treatment, stabilization… and then transport if need be,” Gordon said. “And if it’s something minor, we can handle it here.”

The field hospital is on Fifth Street at Brazos Street.

Anyone who calls 911 for a medical emergency in a geo-fenced area of downtown Austin will get taken to the field hospital in a special response unit — a type of ATV that can move more easily through crowds than an ambulance.

“The goal of that being that we don’t have an impact on the 911 system and take those units away from our community,” Gordon said.

Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

<article class="article-list__article" data-article-id="1685453" data-index="0" data-collection="article-list13" data-anvato-params=""pauseOnTabInactive":false
// –>

Tracking the Coronavirus


What is the current COVID risk in your county?

/ 3 days ago

Austin Weather

Current

63°

Cloudy

Tonight

62°

Cloudy

Precip: 10&percnt;

Tomorrow

80°

Scattered Thunderstorms

Precip: 50&percnt;

Trending Stories


6 from Texas charged in $111M IRS fraud scheme


Dead fish litter Austin creek


First Warning: Wet snowflakes may mix with cold rain


Strong to severe storms possible late Thursday


‘Tiger King’ announces 2024 presidential bid

Don’t Miss


RESULTS: This is the best KXAN viewer pic of February


2023 SXSW festival road closures, travel info


The story of 12 students who integrated ATX schools


170K AE customers without power at ice storm peak


KXAN launches new news podcasts



Latest weather conditions from the KXAN First Warning Weather team