Connecticut Firefighter Faces Backlash Over Narcan Comment

A Glastonbury firefighter is facing criticism for an off-hand comment that he made to a BLM activist Sunday. The activist, Ivelisse Correa, videoed the exchange she had with the firefighter.

According to Eyewitness News 3, Correa asked firefighter James Stanley “why aren’t you guys doing anything dealing with the opioid epidemic in your own backyard?”  The firefighter responded “I think you get rid of [expletive] Narcan, and when people overdose, you let them die.”

Stanley subsequently apologized for the comment, acknowledging “it was [in]sensitive and inappropriate” and that: “This comment in no way represents my character or conduct as a 20 years veteran of the fire service.” The Hartford Current identified Correa as the leader of BLM860.

About Curt Varone

Curt Varone has over 45 years of fire service experience and 35 as a practicing attorney licensed in both Rhode Island and Maine. His background includes 29 years as a career firefighter in Providence (retiring as a Deputy Assistant Chief), as well as volunteer and paid on call experience. He is the author of two books: Legal Considerations for Fire and Emergency Services, (2006, 2nd ed. 2011, 3rd ed. 2014, 4th ed. 2022) and Fire Officer's Legal Handbook (2007), and is a contributing editor for Firehouse Magazine writing the Fire Law column.
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