DMFD Announces New Opioid Treatment And Recovery Paramedicine Program

Des Moines, Iowa

- Wednesday, February 18, 2026 - Polk County residents now have a new team aiming to help people who are affected by opioid use disorder.

The Des Moines Fire Department, Polk County and Full Circle Recovery are partnering to provide the Rapid Engagement and Community Health (REACH) Program to treat, serve, and support people with opioid use disorder throughout the county.

"We're thrilled to have a new resource available to provide a helping hand to those struggling with addiction," Des Moines Fire Department Chief Jonathan Lund said. "This collaboration brings partners together to treat and provide recovery support for people in need of help with dignity, giving proven medical treatment and connections to reliable community services. "

REACH, which began serving Polk County earlier this month, is a new line of service in the Des Moines Fire Department's Mobile Integrated Healthcare Program which since 2024 has provided proactive solutions to high-volume 911 callers, helping residents connect with appropriate levels of care for their needs.

As the first program of its kind in Iowa, this program will use data from Polk County EMS providers to identify individuals who have overdosed within the past 72 hours and follow up with the option to sign up for REACH's services and have medication for opioid use disorder administered, follow up to ensure continuity of care, and connect residents with recovery coaching and peer recovery support services.

"Facing opioid use disorder can be incredibly isolating, especially during moments of crisis," said Full Circle Recovery Executive Director Cindy West. "This program ensures people are met with care, connection, and support when they need it most. Through this community partnership, we are expanding a proven, recovery-oriented model that saves lives and strengthens our entire Polk County community."

The REACH program is funded by Polk County's Opioid settlement funds. The work in the field will be conducted by a team of DMFD paramedics and trained recovery coaches from Full Circle Recovery.

Referrals will be collected from overdose data provided by community partners, Police and Fire Departments in Polk County as well as self-referrals.

Polk County resident Ann Breeding, who founded the non-profit organization Steps of Hope Iowa after her son's death from an overdose in 2020, encourages families of people with opioid use disorder to get help from the REACH program.

"Meeting people where they are - and responding with compassion, resources, and support without judgment - is so important," Breeding said. "I'm hopeful that the REACH program will result in barriers being eliminated and ultimately provide options for help to individuals and allow families to shift from crisis to hope. This is a critical investment in the health and future of our community. It's all about saving lives."

If you or a loved one would like to sign up for assistance from the R.E.A.C.H. program, contact the DMFD team at 515-850-9737 or [email protected] .

Contact
Devin Perry
Communications Specialist III, City Manager's Office
(515) 210-3966
[email protected]

About the City of Des Moines

The City of Des Moines is Iowa's capital, and our 17 departments serve more than 214,000 residents and 46 neighborhood associations. Des Moines is a leader in sustainability and provides its residents with vibrant neighborhoods, an active downtown, and abundant leisure opportunities.

Des Moines continuously improves neighborhoods, public safety, and quality of life by offering exceptional city services and reliable infrastructure while fostering an involved and compassionate community for all who visit and live there. Visit DSM.city, Facebook, and X for more information.

Full Circle Contact:
Cindy West
Executive Director
(515) 783-5911
[email protected]

About Full Circle Recovery

Full Circle Recovery is a nonprofit recovery community organization, led by representatives of local communities of recovery that provides person-centered, strengths-based, and trauma-informed peer recovery support services throughout the state of Iowa. Guided by its mission of expanding pathways of recovery that empower people to embrace their full potential, and its vision of a culture where self-directed recovery is visible, accessible to all, and embraced by the community, Full Circle provides trained peer recovery coaches with lived experience who offer compassionate, evidence-based support to individuals and families who are affected by substance use.

Visit www.recoverfullcircle.org for more information.

Steps of Hope Iowa Contact:
Ann Breeding
Founder
(515) 554-7239
[email protected]