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Firefighters sound the 9-1-1 alarm First responders say patients facing longer emergency wait times BRENT RICHTER brichter@nsnews.com
B.C.’s firefighters are calling on the province to ramp up 9-1-1 dispatch protocols in the wake of patients facing longer waits for ambulances. B.C. Emergency Health Services, which runs B.C. Ambulance Service, redrew its resource allocation plan last fall, effectively deprioritizing a number of non-critical injuries and illnesses. Among them: suspected aneurysms, miscarriages and falls resulting in hemorrhages. The result has been longer wait times, which firefighters say they could help with — if only they were getting the calls. “We’re already at work. We’re already there. We’re available. We should be sent to the calls. I think we can do a lot of good, even on some minor calls,” said Brian Leavold, president of the International Association of Firefighters Local 1183. “We can put them in a position of comfort and deal with the family and get them ready to go so as soon as the ambulance gets there, they can be scooped and run up to the hospital.” One such patient is City of North Vancouver resident Jackie Strom. The 88-year-old fell down a flight of 12 steps on July 17, resulting in a broken
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arm, serious bruising and several gashes. Emergency response time “was well over 20 minutes,” said Strom’s daughter, Deb Gardiner, noting the ambulance station and firehall were both just a few blocks away. “I would have thought that when you get a 9-1-1 call and you’re told that an 88See Triage page 9
West Van to allow coach houses STEFANIA SECCIA sseccia@nsnews.com
Right before breaking for the rest of the summer, District ofWestVancouver council allowed coach houses in their backyard once and for all. At the July 21 meeting,
in an almost unanimous decision, council approved two motions that would allow for coach houses. This September, staff is expected to bring forward bylaws that will set up the process, guidelines and costs associated with developing coach houses
for council’s approval. But Coun. Bill Soprovich was confused as to why council was approving the amendments to zoning and official community plans ahead of knowing what the process would look like. “Last time I was told I couldn’t say anything,” he
said. “I’m not asking for anything uniquely different than from the first time.” Bob Sokol, director of planning, land development and permits, said staff wanted to ensure council was on board with coach See Coach page 5