Authorities reported that three people and more than a dozen of first responders underwent quarantine and assessment over possible exposure to an unidentified substance after responding to a suspected drug overdose at a rural home.
New Mexico State Police found four people initially unresponsive inside the Mountainair home, east of Albuquerque
Three died, while health professionals are treating others at the hospital. The police did not release their name.
According to authorities, first responders who arrived at the scene were exposed to the substance and began experiencing symptoms including nausea and dizziness.
Volunteer firefighter named Antonette Alguire helped perform CPR on a woman outside the home and watched as EMTs and firefighter started coughing, vomiting and becoming dizzy at the heliport, she said.
Alguire said the experience was terrifying even though she didn’t go inside and didn’t experience any symptoms.
She wondered if first responders might have to exert more effort to protect themselves in the future.
“It is getting to that point where we just have to live in fear, even saving lives,” she said.
Even if their lives are at stake, our first responders will respond to emergencies and try to save people.
The investigation is still underway to find out about the substance.