The Safe Station program launched by the Manchester Fire Department to help combat opioid addiction has inspired a similar program in Providence, R.I.
The Associated Press reports that Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza announced a plan Monday to open 12 stations at fire houses around his city.
Fashioned after the program in Manchester, the model is designed to help connect addicts with available treatment services.
The Safe Stations are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Providence will launch its program Jan. 2.
The Manchester program has proven successful. President Trump even mentioned it recently when speaking about efforts to combat heroin and opioid addiction.
Keith Hickey, the Manchester firefighter who drafted the original Safe Station, says he and his fire chief field calls weekly from fire departments around the country that seek additional information about the program.
