The chief of the Hometown Volunteer Fire Company told Rush Township supervisors that the company has a supply of medication that can help reverse the effects of an opioid overdose.

“We are carrying Narcan now in the fire trucks,” Chief Barry Messerschmidt said during Thursday’s board meeting. “Unfortunately, drugs are here everyday.”

Over the last five months, the fire department assisted on four medical calls for overdoses at the Walmart in Hometown, he said.

“We had two in one week,” Messerschmidt said. “They go into the bathroom stall, shoot up, and fall off the toilet right onto the floor. We go get them out.”

A recent overdose happened in the store’s parking lot, he said. Another happened at a home on Fairview Street.

“It’s here. It’s unfortunate but it’s here,” Messerschmidt said.

Fire company volunteers received Narcan training from a class organized by the Tamaqua Ambulance Association.

Messerschmidt noted that all company vehicles are equipped with Narcan, and most officers and fire police personnel carry it.

“You just never know. They call for a cardiac arrest. You get there and it’s a drug overdose,” he said.

Township Supervisor Robert Leibensperger encouraged the department to use caution because they might be exposed to fentanyl.

“We have a de-con kit. We have gloves,” Messerschmidt said.

Rush Township police Chief Rick Weaver said the department also carries Narcan, and said it’s common for users to take the drugs while at public places like convenience stores.