~ Colorado Springs Fire Department Expands Community and Public Health Division with TOR-MAT Team

The Colorado Springs Fire Department (CSFD) has announced the addition of a new team to their Community and Public Health Division. The Targeted Opioid Response and Medication Assisted Treatment (TOR-MAT) team is a cutting-edge program that aims to help individuals struggling with opioid dependence and addiction. This program, the first of its kind in the state of Colorado, officially launched on Monday, February 24, 2025.

Comprised of a civilian paramedic and a behavioral health navigator, the TOR-MAT team provides intervention and medication for individuals who have an opiate dependence or addiction. The team primarily responds to follow-ups from 911 Opioid Overdose calls for service but also accepts referrals from the community as space allows.

Within 72 hours of contact, the team assesses the patient's opiate withdrawal status and initiates voluntary medical-assisted treatment with buprenorphine strips. Buprenorphine is an opioid medication that replaces other opioids such as heroin, oxycodone, and fentanyl. When taken at the correct dose, it can prevent withdrawal symptoms and reduce drug cravings without causing a person to feel high or sleepy. This approach aims to lower the harms associated with opioid misuse and give individuals struggling with addiction a chance to stabilize their lives.

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The ultimate goal of this program is to bridge the gap in services that often occurs after someone experiences an overdose or suffers from opioid addiction. By offering medication-assisted treatment and connecting patients to community resources, TOR-MAT hopes to improve outcomes for this vulnerable population.

In addition to providing immediate treatment, this program also facilitates referrals and connections to local buprenorphine clinics for ongoing management. It also offers triage services and connects patients with peer support programs for long-term recovery. When appropriate, TOR-MAT will also provide Narcan kits and educate patients, family, and friends on how to use them.

Fire Chief Randy Royal expressed his excitement for this new program, stating that it will not only help a vulnerable population in the community but also improve the lives of those they serve. He emphasized the department's commitment to innovation and believes that TOR-MAT is a shining example of that. Chief Royal looks forward to seeing the positive impact this program will have on individuals struggling with opioid addiction.

TOR-MAT is a grant-funded program through the Regional Opioid Abatement Council for one year, with the possibility of an additional year of funding upon request. The CSFD hopes that this program will make a significant difference in the lives of those affected by opioid addiction in Colorado Springs.

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