Freedom of Information Request Shows Cause of Delayed Response by Fire Service to Police Officer Overcome by Fentanyl Was Dispatcher Error

Pete Fisher
2 minutes ago
• Categories: Local

(Today’s Northumberland file photo)

Today’s Northumberland received a response to a Freedom of Information request to the Town of Cobourg regarding a delay for fire services in response to a police officer affected by Fentanyl.

The incident happened on September 21, 2025 after a police officer was rushed to Northumberland Hills Hospital after she had been overcome with Fentanyl around 8 p.m. while on a call in Victoria Park.

Cobourg Police stated in a release the officer was exposed to Fentanyl during a warrant arrest at approximately 7:45 p.m.

“During the arrest, one officer began exhibiting symptoms consistent with opioid exposure.”

A second officer on scene immediately administered naloxone.

Northumberland County Paramedics along with the fire service were also called for medical assistance.

Unfortunately, it was the Port Hope Fire and Emergency Services who were originally dispatched to Victoria Park at 8:11 p.m.

It was five precious minutes later that the proper fire service, Cobourg Fire Department was dispatched at 8:16 p.m. and Port Hope Fire and Emergency Services were told to stand down.

Peterborough Fire Communications dispatch stated to responding Cobourg Fire Departments units, “this came in from OPP as an officer down that was exposed to Fentanyl. She is conscious, shallow breathing, limbs are going numb.”

It’s Cobourg Police, not OPP that police Cobourg.

When Cobourg Fire Department arrived on scene at 8:22 p.m. there was a paramedic supervisor on scene, but no ambulance.

Today’s Northumberland reached out to the Town of Cobourg asking where was the failure with sending the correct fire department?

Initially, the Town of Cobourg stated for Today’s Northumberland to contacted Peterborough Fire Department for follow-up.

Peterborough Fire Department Deputy Chief Mike Cavanagh replied, “that direction to request information from Peterborough is incorrect.

Any requests on call information for the Town of Cobourg would need to be requested through the Town of Cobourg.

We have provided information to the Town of Cobourg last week based on your previous request to them.”

In a follow-up, Manager, Office of the CAO Kara Euale stated a standard response.

“Cobourg Fire was assured that follow up has been conducted and additional systems checks have been implemented to ensure no further issues.”

Following the response, Today’s Northumberland applied for and received more information regarding the delay in sending the proper fire service after a Freedom of Information request was issued to the Town of Cobourg.

Documents included in the Freedom of Information included Euale asking for direction from Fire Chief Ellard Beaven in how to respond to the request on September 25.

“Can you please look at the below. I don’t want it to look like we are speaking for Dispatch, however, Jenny (communications manager) did say previously that we can’t speak to it. So, I want to make sure it doesn’t look like she said the wrong thing. Can you flag this with dispatch and see if they are OK with this information. If they would like to change, please feel free OR if they would prefer to communicate with Pete they can do that as well.

Call me if you want to discuss.”

Euale’s proposed response stated:

“Hi Pete,
We have consulted with Peterborough Dispatch who have provided us with approval for the following response to your question:

Following the September 21st call for service, the Cobourg Fire Department held a debrief with
Peterborough Dispatch to confirm the root cause of the delay. Dispatch confirmed that the error was due to an incomplete address being recorded by the dispatcher on call. All dispatchers have since received additional training and reminders on clear and accurate recording of vital information.

The Cobourg Fire Department enquired through Peterborough Dispatch if there were any additional delays, after consulting the call logs it was confirmed there were no additional delays in communication since that single incident on September 21st.”

Even though Peterborough Fire Service provided a explanation as to what happened, Beaven’s response to Euale was, “I think we are giving too much information regarding the dispatcher. The cause of the delay was identified and is remedied; we can’t speak to personnel issues.

My thoughts.”