Hesseltine’s emergency inspires businesses to look into Narcan
When Dresden Takeout owner Kathy Dubord learned Narcan was used to aid Wiscasset's police chief after his accidental exposure to what was believed to be fentanyl, she got proactive.
"It just made us realize, if (the emergency) could happen to the chief it could happen to anybody," Dubord said in a phone interview from her Route 27, Dresden business.
Dubord reached out to Wiscasset Emergency Medical Services Director Erin Bean, who was "wonderful." Dubord said Bean sent her a link to a website regarding Narcan. "Not only (that), she came out and showed us how to use it. She offered to come out and show us how to do chest compressions if we needed to ... I'll be reaching out to her again. She is fabulous."
According to Bean's Oct. 15, monthly report to Town Manager Dennis Simmons, Dresden Takeout is not alone in seeking education on Narcan. "This past month, we had a very scary wake up call in the County. This has triggered lots of private business owners to want to be more proactive not only for their clientele but also for their staff," Bean wrote.
Mentioning her presentation to Dresden Takeout, Bean wrote, "I was very glad to help them feel more confident in the use of Narcan."
In his monthly report, dated Oct. 7, Police Chief Lawrence Hesseltine recounted his Sept. 5 emergency that was earlier reported in a town press release. Hesseltine wrote in the monthly report, "(During) a traffic stop I became unresponsive from what is believed to have been caused by an accidental exposure to fentanyl that got into my system from an injury I sustained to my arm. Officer (Jonathan) Barnes was on scene as well as CLC (Central Lincoln County Ambulance Service) personnel. Officer Barnes administered Narcan, and I came back around within a minute. I was transported to Miles Memorial Hospital and later released."
Bean's, Hesseltine's and other department heads' monthly reports were posted Oct. 16 at wiscasset.gov, as part of the packet for the Oct. 21 selectmen's meeting.
Also Oct. 21, the board was set to consider confirming Simmons' appointment of Hesseltine to serve as acting town manager while Simmons is on vacation from Oct. 28 to Nov. 6.
Simmons wrote in his manager's report, he will be "out of the country and unavailable for daily operations or routine decision-making. To ensure continuity of municipal administration and timely response to any issues that arise, I am appointing Chief Hesseltine (who) is familiar with ongoing projects, personnel, and procedures, and is well-positioned to maintain normal operations and address any urgent matters that may require immediate oversight.
"This appointment also provides employees with a clear point of contact in our chain of command. To provide a clear legal authority, I am requesting that the Board confirm this temporary appointment," Simmons added.
Also on Tuesday night's agenda is a public hearing on the local questions voters face Nov. 4. The meeting starts at 6 p.m. at the town office and at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89949074298?pwd=UllSQTRtd1RqQ1YvSEV5T0l6UWNsQT09