Earlier this evening, Aurora City Council voted unanimously on a proposal sponsored by Council Member Curtis Gardner to enact a moratorium on the use of ketamine by Aurora Fire Rescue and the ambulance transport provider Falck Rocky Mountain. The moratorium will continue at a minimum until 30 days after the city receives the results of an independent investigation into the August 2019 death of Elijah McClain. Ketamine is currently listed in the Aurora Fire Rescue authorized version of the Denver Metro Prehospital Protocols for the treatment of excited delirium. The department will remove all ketamine from service units beginning at 8 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 15.
Consistent with their training, the paramedics of Aurora Fire Rescue are directed to contact medical control for guidance if they encounter a situation that is unique or challenging while treating a patient.
The Aurora Fire Rescue authorized version of the Denver Metro Prehospital Protocols will continue to be the guiding document for emergency medical service providers in Aurora. These protocols are written, evaluated and updated by physicians with an expertise in emergency medicine and can be found on the department website at www.AuroraGov.org/Fire. The men and women of Aurora Fire Rescue remain focused on providing compassionate and professional care to our community, both through emergency medical service and all-hazard emergency response.