Redlands Fire Department to launch nation’s first full-time Substance Use Navigator Program

REDLANDS, Calif. —  In a bold move to combat the opioid crisis, the Redlands Fire Department (RFD) is set to become the first fire agency in the United States to hire a full-time Substance Use Navigator (SUN). 

Why it matters: The SUN role is the latest phase of Redlands’ multi-agency opioid abatement initiative, launched in 2020 by the Fire and Police departments. Since then, first responders have dramatically increased naloxone (Narcan) administrations—from 44 doses in 2019 to 154 in 2022—with the Police Department accounting for 40 of those reversals last year.

Details: The new position is designed to guide individuals from the brink of overdose to recovery with dignity and support by connecting people to critical services such as Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT), outpatient therapy, housing assistance and peer-based recovery resources. This involves responding to on-scene overdoses, visiting individuals in their homes and engaging patients in emergency rooms.

Working hand-in-hand with the City’s Homeless Solutions Manager and the Redlands Police Department, the SUN will also engage at-risk populations before crises occur by visiting schools, community centers and public events to promote prevention, education and resilience citywide.

“The SUN will be a guiding light for those lost in addiction, helping them find a path forward with dignity and support,” said Phong Nguyen, medical director for the Redlands Fire Department. “This isn’t just about treatment. It’s about rebuilding lives.”

This next step follows initiatives Redlands introduced in 2023 to support sustained recovery including field-based MAT using medications such as buprenorphine to ease withdrawal and stabilize patients in the field, youth education programs and specialized training for firefighters, paramedics, healthcare workers and law enforcement. There was also a push for improved coordination with Redlands Community Hospital and Loma Linda University Medical Center to ensure seamless care from emergency rooms to long-term treatment, a boost in public education campaigns, expanded drug disposal access and community-based diversion programs.

This innovative program is funded entirely through California’s Abatement Accounts Fund from the National Opioid Settlement. 

Zoom out: This program comes at a pivotal time. After reaching historic highs in 2023, national overdose deaths are now on the decline. According to provisional CDC data, overdose fatalities across the United States have declined by roughly 25% since peaking at 114,000 deaths in August 2023. This encouraging trend marks the first time all 50 states and the District of Columbia have reported progress. Experts credit the decline to increased access to life-saving naloxone, expanded treatment options and a shift in the potency of street drugs.

San Bernardino County has mirrored this trend, with opioid-related deaths dropping from 420 in 2023 to a projected 360 for the 12 months ending in mid-2024. Local initiatives, including naloxone distribution, overdose response training and increased access to medical-assisted treatment, have played a critical role in saving lives. Read our article about the decline in drug overdose deaths here. 

Moving forward: “As first responders, we’re not just answering emergency calls—we’re standing in the gap between tragedy and a second chance,” said Carly Cripe, emergency medical services coordinator for RFD. “This crisis is personal: it’s about our neighbors, our youth and the future of our community.”

The launch of the SUN program signals a broader call to action. City officials hope that residents, schools, businesses and healthcare providers will rally around this shared mission.

For more information about the Redlands Opioid Response Program or to learn how to get involved, contact the Redlands Fire Department Public Information Office.