Cranbrook Fire and Emergency Services has its work cut out for them when it comes to prehospital emergency care.
Fire Chief Scott Driver says they often receive questions from the public on why they assist paramedics on calls but it’s common practice across B.C.
“As Fire Chief, I’ve seen firsthand how stretched ambulance services can be. Increasingly, our local ambulances are tied up on other calls or delayed at the hospital. In these cases, without fire department support, life-saving care could be delayed,” said Driver.
“This is where our firefighters step in, not to replace paramedics, but to support the prehospital care system that has relied on fire departments for decades. It’s a model that works, and it’s a choice our community has made to ensure timely help is always available.”
Prehospital care makes up the majority of the fire department’s calls each quarter with Driver stating there is a standard of care that needs to be met and firefighters are often needed to ensure enough people are on the scene.
He says one person is needed for chest compressions or naloxone administration, one to two to manage a patients airway, one to four to carry the patient and one person to keep accurate records.
“And that’s just the medical side. Some emergencies also take place in unsafe or unpredictable environments,” he added.
“Protecting our crews is a priority, and sometimes extra support from the RCMP is needed to keep everyone safe.”
Often a higher number of first responders will go to a scene and then evaluate if they are all needed.
If fewer responders are needed, those crews are released to get back to other calls or duties.
“This system helps us act fast when seconds count, without being wasteful. It also helps manage costs,” Driver added.
“Once an emergency is under control, our officers can release staff and avoid calling in costly overtime. That keeps our crews ready and our budget in check.”
The department had 377 pre-hospital calls in the first quarter of 2025, which was 72 per cent of all calls.
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