Ambulance calls are up amid B.C.'s second extreme heat wave of the summer
With B.C. dealing with another heat wave and some of the worst air quality in the world, 911 call volume is already up for paramedics this weekend.
“We’ve seen the heat, the humidity, but we’ve also seen the smoke so that brings in those respiratory calls. People that have shortness of breath, cardiac issues or just the more vulnerable patients who are sensitive to the smoke. It’s all things that are going to add to our call volume this weekend,” said Troy Clifford, president of Ambulance Paramedics and Dispatchers of B.C.
So far in August, paramedics have responded to 47 heat-related calls, according to B.C. Emergency Health Services. Twelve calls were recorded on Thursday. In June, when B.C. experienced the record-breaking heat dome, there were 829 calls to paramedics and 570 deaths. The B.C. Coroner’s Service says it’s too soon to determine if the current heatwave has led to any deaths.
Since B.C.’s historic heat dome, BC Ambulance has implemented new measures to deal with staffing shortages. Eighty-five paramedic positions were recently posted, primarily in the Lower Mainland. Thirty dispatchers were also added in three communication centres.
“It isn’t a lot. It doesn’t address what we need. But it still adds a number of ambulances to the Lower Mainland,” said Clifford.
With the heat wave expected to last until Sunday morning, Clifford is reminding everyone to check on the elderly, your neighbours and anyone who may be vulnerable in this type of weather.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Leonardo DiCaprio criticizes Ottawa over B.C. salmon farms
Salmon farms have long been a point of contention between environmentalists and fish farmers in British Columbia, but a much bigger net is now being cast on the topic.
Flight from Israel to New Jersey diverted to New York state due to high winds, turbulence
High winds and turbulence have forced a United Airlines flight from Israel to be diverted from its destination of Newark Airport in New Jersey to Stewart International Airport in New Windsor, N.Y..
Vancouver rapper falls on ice during Canucks game performance
The Vancouver Canucks weren’t the only ones who stumbled during Thursday night’s game against the Dallas Stars.
Snow-covered bodies of 2 men from Senegal found in New York woods near Canadian border
Two men from Senegal froze to death were found in the snow of a wooded area close to the Canadian border, New York state police said.
This historical tavern in Toronto is closing after nearly 200 years
An historic downtown Toronto bar is closing its doors next week after nearly 200 years in business.
For years she thought her son had died of an overdose. The police video changed all that
Austin Hunter Turner died in 2017, on a night that his mother has rewound and replayed again and again, trying to make sense of what happened.
Feeling older than you are? It could be how you sleep
Not getting enough sleep may cause you to feel five to 10 years older than you really are, according to two new studies.
Manhattan DA suggests Donald Trump violated gag order with post about daughter of hush-money trial judge
Manhattan prosecutors suggested Friday that Donald Trump violated a gag order in his hush-money criminal case this week by assailing the judge's daughter and making a false claim about her on social media.
Niagara Region 'proactively' declares state of emergency ahead of total solar eclipse
Niagara Region says it has declared a state of emergency 'out of an abundance of caution' as it prepares for an influx of visitors for next month’s total solar eclipse.