St. Elmo Police Equipped w/EpiPens

Illinois legislators passed the law referred to as the "Annie LeGere Law". The measure allows law enforcement officers, who are often first on the scene, to carry and administer the drug to those suffering an allergy-related emergency. The law is not a mandate; participation is an option for departments.

St. Elmo Police Chief Brock Rich said, "We feel this is an opportunity to better serve our rural community while waiting for EMS to arrive and provide further care. The St. Elmo Police Department appreciates the importance of their law enforcement officers being able to administer lifesaving drugs in urgent situations with the NARCAN program. The epinephrine auto-injection will be added to officers' other medical supplies such as AEDs, NARCAN, first aid, and Trauma Kits."

To administer the medication, officers undergo training that is certified by the State and provided at no cost to the City. The Department purchased one adult set and one junior version for children. The cost of $959.99 was covered by an anonymous donor after they heard about the program.

Chief Rich said, "The goal of this department is to find the best ways to serve our community and address the diverse needs of our residents. I believe that any opportunity to place potentially lifesaving resources in our community, especially rural areas that take time to reach, should be pursued. We sincerely appreciate the support of community members who have worked to establish this program, and hope to see other departments do the same."