Erie County health department wins $1.6M federal grant to put overdose-reversal drugs in first responders’ hands

The Erie County Health Department has received a four-year, $1.6 million federal grant to supply overdose-reversal medication to police, fire and EMS agencies across the county and train their crews to use it.

The money comes from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's First Responders-Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act program. The health department announced the award Sept. 17 and said it is the third grant in a row it has received from the program.

Where the money goes

The department said the grant pays for three things:

• Medication for first responders. The health department will supply overdose-reversal medication such as naloxone directly to Erie County first-responder agencies. Its satellite health center sites will serve as distribution hubs.
• Training. Emergency crews will get overdose-prevention training, safety protocols for handling synthetic drugs and instruction on giving the medication in the field.
• Dispatch changes. The department plans to work with local emergency dispatchers so its Quick Response Team is connected to 911 calls involving overdoses, alcohol misuse or suspected drug activity. The team follows up with people after a crisis to connect them with treatment.

"This funding allows us to bridge critical gaps between emergency response and long-term care," said Steve Staley, the department's chief of grants and accreditation.

What we don't know yet

The announcement doesn't say how much medication will be distributed, which agencies will receive it, when the dispatch changes take effect or how the money is split among the three parts of the program. It also gives no local overdose figures.

Information about the department's recovery resources and Quick Response Team is available at 419-626-5623, ext. 5247.

Source: Erie County Health Department announcement, Sept. 17, 2026