Every day paramedics are on the streets saving lives, but a recent decision by BC Emergency Health Services (BCEHS) means they may not be in the best position to do their job effectively.
The BCEHS recently decided to pull paramedics out of two disaster response teams over issues of liability.
“We understand there are legal liabilities that need to be worked out, but we really don’t think that that should be the barrier standing between successful implementation,” Cam Eby of the BC Paramedics Union said.
A memo to staff went out at the beginning of December that stated, “BCEHS and VPD management could not come to an agreement on this and VPD have requested an end to the cooperative relationship and secondment of paramedics on tactical training and deployment(s) with VPD.”
But paramedics haven’t been on the VPD’s Integrated Tactical Unit for a year now.
In the event of a riot, it means paramedics will be unable to attend medical calls inside the critical zone.
“The safety of the responders comes first,” Eby said. “Without the adequate training and knowledge and equipment to go into that environment, paramedics just simply can’t safely respond to a middle of a riot or a large crowd.”
The Vancouver Police Department says paramedics provide an invaluable resource during emergency situations. They treat injuries to people in the crowd and to emergency responders themselves.
For Vancouver’s Heavy Urban Search and Rescue (HUSAR) Task Force, the situation is still normal, but for how much longer is unclear. Talks are taking place between BCEHS and HUSAR.
“We believe that we can work very well and cooperatively with Vancouver Police Department to ensure that patients are safe and the public is protected,” Jodi Jensen of the BCEHS said.
– With files from Aaron McArthur
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