BALTIMORE — A mass overdose incident in Baltimore’s Penn–North neighborhood Thursday sent multiple individuals to the hospital and prompted an urgent response from both emergency medical personnel and the city’s health department. As many as 25 people were hospitalized and five were in critical condition, Baltimore Fire Chief James Wallace told local media outlets.
According to a Facebook post from Baltimore Firefighters IAFF Local 734, first responders were dispatched to the area for a “mass casualty incident” involving several people exhibiting overdose symptoms. The union described the event as part of a growing pattern of fentanyl-related emergencies overwhelming Baltimore’s EMS system.
“This tragic event once again underscores the severity of the opioid crisis in Baltimore and the systemic strain it places on emergency services,” the union said in a Facebook post.
Health Department Mobilizes Overdose Response Team
The Baltimore City Health Department confirmed the incident in its own Facebook post, noting that its Overdose Response team is on the ground “providing immediate support and resources to ensure everyone’s safety and well-being.”
“We are also canvassing the neighborhood to distribute Naloxone to prevent further harm and save lives,” the department posted. “Naloxone is a life-saving medication that can reverse opioid overdoses.”
EMS Capacity Strained by Ongoing Crisis
Thursday’s response was complicated by recent cutbacks in Baltimore’s EMS infrastructure. The fire union reported that four Advanced Life Support (ALS) units were downgraded to Basic Life Support (BLS) earlier this year due to more than 70 paramedic vacancies and escalating overtime costs.
ALS units are essential in providing advanced airway management, cardiac care, and overdose treatment. The downgrades, the union warned, reduce the city’s ability to respond effectively to high-acuity calls like overdose clusters.
“Paramedics face increased stress and workload, filling coverage gaps through costly overtime,” the firefighters’ statement read. “When seconds count, every delay may prove fatal.”
Calls for Long-Term Investment
While $5.2 million in opioid settlement funds has been allocated to private EMS contracts as part of the city’s 2026 budget, the union is instead calling for a direct investment in the city’s EMS system, including hiring and retaining paramedics and restoring ALS units.
“Today’s mass casualty incident in Penn–North is a distressing reminder that Baltimore’s EMS system is nearing a breaking point,” the union said.
