Five correction officers were potentially exposed to fentanyl Friday evening at Auburn Correctional Facility, prompting a hazardous materials response and emergency medical treatment, according to the Auburn Fire Department.
Emergency crews were dispatched to the State Street prison around 6:10 p.m. after Cayuga County 911 received reports that two individuals were experiencing symptoms after exposure to an unknown substance inside the facility.
Auburn City Ambulance and Throop Ambulance initially responded to provide medical care, but EMS crews later requested Auburn Fire Department’s Hazardous Materials Team after evaluating the patients.
Truck Company, Rescue 1, Engine Company 3 and the department’s duty chief responded to the prison, where officials learned a total of five correction officers may have been exposed.
Firefighters entered the facility in hazardous materials gear and conducted testing on the suspected substance and nearby surfaces. According to the fire department, preliminary field tests returned positive results for fentanyl in multiple locations.
Two correction officers were transported to Auburn Community Hospital for further evaluation, while three others were evaluated at the scene.
Crews remained at the prison for more than an hour conducting investigation, mitigation and decontamination operations before clearing the scene around 7:32 p.m.
Officials said the suspected items were secured and turned over to the Department of Corrections. The incident remains under investigation.
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