A struggling BC Ambulance service is having an impact on the West 琉璃神社 Fire Service (WKFS).

鈥淭here is absolutely no question we are doing more medical calls than we ever have,鈥� Fire Chief Jason Brolund told council at its Nov. 22 meeting.

There are a number of reasons, including ambulance service staffing and less cars on the road, Brolund added. Earlier this month, three ambulances were cut from 琉璃神社鈥檚 fleet.

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鈥淚 am happy there has not been a reduction in staff on ambulances in West 琉璃神社,鈥� said Brolund. 鈥淗owever, there is no question we are affected by what happens across the lake because our ambulances are drawn across to help.鈥�

A quarterly statistics report to council shows WKFS has answered nearly 1,500 first-responder calls so far in 2022. That compares to approximately 1,000 calls for all of 2021.

鈥淲e are on track this year to have, or come very close to having, our busiest year ever,鈥� added Brolund.

The busiest year for WKFS, all calls across the department, was 2017 with just over 3,000 responses.

鈥淥ur firefighters have a lot to offer to our citizens,鈥� said Brolund. 鈥淲hen these calls come in our crews are getting there first and making a difference.鈥�

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gary.barnes@kelownacapnews.com
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