COLUMBUS, Ohio - The Columbus Division of Fire is turning to vending machines to be more accountable.

• The agency has 20 medication dispensing machines located throughout city firehouses.
• Each machine costs between $12,000 and $13,000.
• The agency said it has reduced waste by $120,000 over the last two years.

The machines dispense medical supplies including naloxone, epinephrine and saline for emergency services.

Each machine is connected to a system that notifies administrators when supplies are being used, running low or when something is nearing its expiration date.

"Since we've got these machines, we've been able to cut our inventory back. We have a better handle on what's on company, what we have in the warehouse, how much we need. We can get an average of what each machine does a month in every medication, so we know how to stock it accordingly and we know how to stock our warehouse for what's being used," Darren Fuller said.

Fuller is the Drug Accountability Specialist for the Columbus Division of Fire.

The Deputy Chief of the Training Bureau and EMS, Patrick Ferguson said the value of these machines is significant.

"Council member Brown was very significant in securing the funding for us to make the initial purchase back in 2017 and has been nothing, but a supporter for the Division of Fire over the years. We're able to track the drugs and anything that's dispensed out of there. We are able to save the citizens some money and be good stewards with taxpayers dollars."