x
Breaking News
More () »

The Defenders: Many firefighters not trained to use life-saving treatment for allergic reactions

Our team made some shocking findings about the lack of epinephrine among first responders.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — An NBC Charlotte Defenders investigation is looking into an issue every person with a serious allergy needs to be aware of.

Our team made some shocking findings about the lack of epinephrine among first responders. NBC Charlotte has learned many areal firefighters don't have the required training to administer the medicine.

The revelation comes as a growing number of people are being sent to the emergency rooms for allergies. The greatest increase is among kids. A study by the American Academy of Pediatrics reported a near 200 percent spike over a ten year period.

NBC Charlotte talked to a mother who says epinephrine saved her young daughter’s life in 2013. Jill Fowler said Mia suffered from a nut allergy while they were stuck in traffic on I-277. The Defenders team learned that in York County, where they live, most fire departments don’t carry epinephrine.

"(I) panicked, didn't know what to do,” said Jill Fowler remembering the incident in 2013. “I literally stopped my car in the middle of 277.

Her 8-year-old daughter also clearly remembered what happened that day.

“Eating the cookie,” she told NBC Charlotte. “It made me sick.”

Fowler said a Good Samaritan helped her administer an EpiPen on the highway.

“Epinephrine saves lives,” said Fowler. “If I did not have the EpiPen, she would not be here with us.”

Fowler was surprised when NBC Charlotte told her the life-saving tool is missing for some first responders. The Defenders team found only five out of 18 fire departments in York County are licensed to carry epinephrine.

“I can’t even believe they wouldn't even carry anything like that,” said Fowler.

The Defenders investigation revealed similar results when we checked with EMS agencies in North Carolina. While officials said all fire departments in Mecklenburg and Union Counties carry epinephrine, NBC Charlotte learned departments in other counties do not carry it. 

EMS agencies said two of 12 fire departments in Lincoln County do not carry epinephrine. In Gaston County, nearly half of the fire departments do not carry epinephrine; 11 out of 24 departments don’t carry it, according to Gaston County EMS. 

However, the majority of those departments do carry Narcan to treat drug overdoses, though it does not require as high a level of training.

“(Epinephrine is) like having water in the fire truck to put the fire out,” said Brad Hall, a spokesman for the Gaston County Firefighters Association.

Hall volunteers at Union Road fire department which does not have epinephrine. He also works at Alexis Fire Department which does carry it.

“We have used it here (at Alexis Fire Department) and it's had a positive outcome,” Hall told NBC Charlotte.

NBC Charlotte brought the issue to Gaston County Commissioner Ron Worley.

“I think that's something we could look at,” Commissioner Worley said. "I would like to see them all over the county where they are readily available.”

Ultimately, EMS medical protocols are approved by a county medical director in North Carolina and there’s a similar system in South Carolina. However, Hall said if fire chiefs decide to run medical calls, that requires additional training.

“It’s hard enough to keep these departments staffed to run fire calls,” Hall told NBC Charlotte.

“If a life can be saved with a few dollars, it's worth spending,” Commissioner Worley said.

Fowler and her daughter know from firsthand experience how epinephrine was well worth the cost.

“It’s something that should be on every fire truck,” Fowler said.

“If a firefighter is driving past, and you're having an anaphylactic, you can ask them if they have an EpiPen,” her daughter said.

NBC Charlotte also checked with local police agencies and found several agencies that carry Narcan. However, none of the police agencies NBC Charlotte contacted carried epinephrine.

MORE STORIES ON WCNC.COM

Ryan Repko driving special UNC Charlotte car, raising money for shooting victims' families

I.M. Pei, legendary architect, dies at 102

Police investigating after $4k in equipment stolen from church

Before You Leave, Check This Out