Sgt. Chris Kading is an experienced Firefighter/EMT with Skagit County Fire District #2 as well as a Detective Sergeant with the Skagit County Sheriff's Office where he serves on the Skagit County Interlocal Drug Enforcement Unit (SCIDEU). Sgt. Kading brings a unique perspective to the discussion around EMS response to the opioid crisis as his experience includes overdose response as a firefighter/EMT as well as preventing overdoses by conducting complex criminal investigations and covert operations to get illicit drugs off the streets. Sgt. Kading serves as a critical information-sharing link between Skagit County law enforcement and EMS agencies - providing regular communication on trending regional drug trafficking issues and scene safety considerations to help keep first responders safe.