San Jose park rangers have started carrying the nasal spray naloxone that is used to reverse an opioid overdose.

Rangers with the city's Department of Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services began carrying doses of naloxone in their vehicles on Sept. 11 in case they encounter someone who has overdosed on heroin or other opioids.

"Rangers are often the first on the scene of emergencies and being able to administer naloxone as soon as possible can be the difference between life and death," department director Jon Cicirelli said in a news release.

A grant from the Santa Clara County Emergency Medical Services Agency funded the initial doses for the rangers, who received training on how to recognize an overdose and administer the nasal spray.