Giving second chances: First responders recognized for saving overdose victims

Washington County Opioid Overdose Coalition on Monday recognized first responders who administered naloxone to save the lives of people who had overdosed on opioids.

At least 35 lives were saved since April 2024 by emergency medical services technicians, firefighters, police officers, and other first responders throughout the county who are equipped with naloxone. The medication, also known as Narcan, is a drug that can reverse the effects of opioid overdoses.

That number doesn't include the doses of Narcan distributed that were not reported. About 2,240 Naloxone kits were distributed in Washington County in the 2023-24 calendar year, according to the Washington Drug and Alcohol Commission.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in April reported a significant drop in overdose deaths across the United States, the first time in years that the numbers trended downward.

That's the case in Washington County, too, which officials attribute to several factors, including efforts to distribute Narcan to as many people as possible.

The first responders honored at the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum had saved at least one life in the past year by providing naloxone to overdose victims.

"Thank you for everything you do. We want to recognize that not only are you on the front line working hard every day, but you're saving lives, literally, saving lives, with the use of Narcan, and, of course, all the other means that you use to save lives," said Washington County Judge John F. DiSalle, who serves as co-chair of the Washington County Opioid Overdose Coalition and presides over the Drug Treatment Court. "Many departments, many of our emergency responders and fire companies are very much engaged in this effort to save people's lives."

Among the departments recognized for their lifesaving efforts were the Washington County Sheriff's Department, Washington Ambulance and Chair, Canonsburg Volunteer Fire Department, Bentleyville Fire Department, McDonald Borough Police Department, South Strabane Township Police Department, and Washington County Correctional Facility.

From the Washington County Sheriff Office, deputies Kristy Salzman, Victoria Pittas, Madison Klempay and Robert Dorcon were recognized for their efforts to save the life of a woman who had apparently overdosed on drugs and crashed her vehicle near the Washington County Courthouse in August.

The deputies pulled the woman out of the vehicle and began performing CPR on her while another deputy retrieved naloxone. The deputies were able to revive the woman and she was taken by ambulance to UPMC Washington Hospital for treatment.

"We're proud of them. The deputies did exactly what they were trained to do and they did an excellent job," Chief Deputy Anthony Mosco said. "We provide Narcan and make sure they have it on them for events like this."

Three reversals were performed by firefighters from the Canonsburg Volunteer Fire Department.

"Every life that gets a second opportunity is a miracle in itself, and with the technology we have, we can save lives, and that's a great thing. And there are several programs available for those who want to seek help," said Canonsburg firefighter and Mayor Dave Rhome, who has been involved in three Narcan saves since the department began carrying and administering naloxone. "We in public safety are all about giving people a second chance, and we want them to find treatment options after."

Andrea Poduszlo, a case manager for the Washington Drug and Alcohol Commission and a mom of a young son, has been in recovery for more than five years, and her life was twice saved by Narcan -and she also saved a man's life in June by administering Narcan.

Poduszlo, a Crawford County native who excelled academically in high school, was a captain of the cheerleading squad and a pageant queen, and attended Edinboro University, shared with those who attended the celebration how she became addicted to prescription drugs after being diagnosed with fibromyalgia and sustaining an injury during basic training in the U.S. Army.

After years of struggling with addiction, which led her to jail and temporarily losing custody of her son, Poduszlo – whose father was a first responder who died following a battle with addiction – ended up at the City Mission and Turning Point at Washington, which impacted her life.

"I would have died if I wasn't given Narcan. You all carrying Narcan with you saves a life. It's a second chance at recovery. It's not enabling the addict to keep on using," said Poduszlo, who has a close relationship with her son and is grateful to be a mother. "I was given a chance to live. I thank you for all you do."

First responder Narcan training started in 2016, and late Washington County District Attorney Gene Vittone launched the first responders recognition event to acknowledge people on the front lines who were saving lives with it. The coalition designs a challenge coin each year that is given to recipients in honor of their achievement.

Said DiSalle, "I've heard, and many of you have heard, stories of people who have survived, have been rescued by Narcan and have had their lives saved go on to do great things, and you can't forget that. That's what it's all about. We have got to keep that mission going. Don't ever think that any life you save isn't going to be a great life. Even if we save one life, we have to keep this mission going."