The Colorado Springs Fire Department (CSFD) is expanding its Community and Public Health Division by adding a Targeted Opioid Response and Medication Assisted Treatment (TOR-MAT) team. The cutting-edge program is the first of its kind in the State of Colorado and is focused on helping patients start on the road to recovery from opioid dependence/addiction. TOR-MAT was placed in service on Monday, February 24, 2025.
The team is comprised of a civilian paramedic and a behavioral health navigator who provide intervention and medication for individuals who have an opiate dependence/addiction. Responses are generated from follow-ups from 911 Opioid Overdose calls for service. Additionally, the team will take referrals from the community as space allows.
Personnel from the program make contact with patients within 72 hours to assess opiate withdrawal status and initiate voluntary medical-assisted treatment with buprenorphine strips. Buprenorphine is an opioid medication used to replace opioids that an individual may be using such as heroin, oxycodone, and fentanyl. When taken at the correct dose, buprenorphine prevents withdrawal symptoms and reduces drug cravings without causing the person to feel high (euphoric) or sleepy. This lowers the harms associated with opioid misuse and gives people who are addicted to opioids a chance to stabilize their lives.
The goal is to bridge the gap in services that often happen after someone experiences an overdose or suffers from opioid addiction by offering medication-assisted treatment and connection to community resources.
This program also facilitates referrals and connections to local buprenorphine clinics for further medication-assisted treatment management, triage, and connection to peer and recovery programs. When appropriate, this program will provide Narcan kits and educate patients, family, and friends on kit usage.
“Adding this new team will not only help a vulnerable population in our community who often don’t get the right resources for their needs but will help better the lives of the people we humbly serve every day,” said Fire Chief Randy Royal. “Innovation is always at the forefront of our minds and this new program is a shining example of that. I look forward to seeing the lives that will undoubtedly be touched and made better off by this program.”
TOR-MAT is a grant-funded program through the Regional Opioid Abatement Council for one year with the opportunity to request an additional year of funding.