Bomb scare calls putting strain on Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service

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WINNIPEG — The sheer volume of calls for suspicious packages is putting a strain on everyone says the head of the city’s firefighter union.

Alex Forrest says every time the police get a call for a suspicious package a minimum of 40 firefighters paramedics also respond.  That number doesn’t include the number of EMS or police staff.

“We have to take each one seriously,”said Forrest. “It puts a strain on resources.”

WATCH: Winnipeg bomb unit responds to suspicious item Thursday on St. Anne’s Road

Each call includes a HAZMAT team and a decontamination unit. The Winnipeg police bomb unit also responds, and the RCMP bomb unit has frequently been pressed into service as well.

As of noon Friday WPS and WFPS had already responded to two calls, including a scene at Hargrave Street and Ellice Avenue.  That scene was cleared by two pm and considered to be a false alarm.

Emergency services have been answering suspicious package calls since last Friday, when a letter bomb exploded at a Winnipeg law office, severely injuring lawyer Maria Mitousis. Two other bombs were mailed to other addresses and safely detonated by police; officers warned the public to be on the lookout for similar suspicious packages.

Guido Amsel, 49, is charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault and other offenses.

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