Firefighters on one of British Columbia's southern Gulf Islands are raising the alarm about a shortage of paramedics in the community.
The problem recently surfaced this past weekend when volunteer firefighters were called upon twice to drive ambulances due to a lack of dedicated medics on duty.
Transporting a patient requires two medics in an ambulance; one to monitor the patient in the back and one to drive. BC Emergency Health Services says Gabriola firefighters have been called upon to drive their ambulances 17 times this year."We don't want to burn out our volunteers," Sprogis told CTV News. "Our volunteers should be kept for their primary task of firefighting and back up for providing medical support."
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Full-time ambulance paramedics needed in Gabriola to avert crisis, say firefightersTwice this past weekend a firefighter had to drive an ambulance because a paramedic was not available, says Gabriola's fire chief.
Read more »
Gabriola Fire Chief calling for full-time staff at local BC Ambulance stationFirefighters have had to drive ambulances 25 times in the last year due to paramedic staffing shortages on the island.
Read more »
RDN looking to address parking demand at Gabriola's Huxley Community ParkRegional District of Nanaimo staff has been tasked with investigating whether parking spaces at Gabriola Commons can be used by Huxley Community Park users.
Read more »
New heat warning issued for inland Vancouver Island with highs of up to 34 expectedEnvironment Canada has issued another heat warning for Vancouver Island, saying Port Alberni and other inland communities could see highs of up to 34 degrees.
Read more »
‘Sharenting’ puts kids at risk, researcher warnsPrivacy settings don't always protect your photos, experts warn — via healthing_ca
Read more »
‘Sharenting’ puts kids at risk, researcher warnsPrivacy settings don't always protect your photos, experts warn — via healthing_ca
Read more »