Emergency calls

Ascent Helicopters owner Trent Lemke excited to have landed a major contract with Emergency Health Services. (PQN News file photo)

Parksville helicopter company wins $544-million B.C. air ambulance contract

Ascent Helicopters to purchase 7 new aircraft to be located in major B.C. centres

 

The BC Wildfire Service continues to respond to the Cameron River wildfire (G80175) located approximately 74 kilometres northwest of Fort St. John. As shown in this recent handout image. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-BC Wildfire Service)

Summer-like B.C. already at ‘core fire season’ in parts of the province

Head of BC Wildfire Service expects fire hazard to spread from the north to southern regions

 

A paramedic is seen outside ambulances parked at the entrance to the emergency department at Richmond General Hospital, in Richmond, B.C., on November 27, 2022. The vast majority of B.C. paramedics and emergency dispatchers voted to approve a new three-year deal on Jan. 6, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. paramedics, dispatchers ratify new 3-year contract with overwhelming support

Permanent on-call wage increase, new $1,000 mental health benefit among changes

 

The Campbell River Fire Department was on the scene of a mudslide behind 738 South Island Highway in the evening on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2023. The building and ones adjacent to it were evacuated. Photo by Alistair Taylor/Campbell River Mirror

Condos evacuated after mudslide in Campbell River

No cars damaged when parkades come crashing down at Island Highway buildings

The Campbell River Fire Department was on the scene of a mudslide behind 738 South Island Highway in the evening on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2023. The building and ones adjacent to it were evacuated. Photo by Alistair Taylor/Campbell River Mirror
Roots, tree trunks and mud pile up against a parkade that collapsed in a mudslide at the 700 block of South Island Highway in Campbell River Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2023. Photo by Alistair Taylor/Campbell River Mirror

Condos evacuated after parkades ‘came down’ in Campbell River mudslide

No cars damaged when parkades come crashing down near row of homes alongside the Island Highway

Roots, tree trunks and mud pile up against a parkade that collapsed in a mudslide at the 700 block of South Island Highway in Campbell River Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2023. Photo by Alistair Taylor/Campbell River Mirror
(Jamie Davis/Twitter)

Highway Thru Hell star Jamie Davis in crash on B.C.’s Okanagan Hwy

No one was injured in the multi-vehicle crash on Highway 5

(Jamie Davis/Twitter)
A B.C. Ambulance Service paramedic moves a stretcher outside an ambulance at Royal Columbia Hospital, in New Westminster on Nov. 29, 2020. The paramedics union has reached a tentative new agreement with BCEHS and the province as of Jan. 6, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. paramedics union, province agree on tentative new contract

Members will decide whether to ratify it or not over coming weeks

A B.C. Ambulance Service paramedic moves a stretcher outside an ambulance at Royal Columbia Hospital, in New Westminster on Nov. 29, 2020. The paramedics union has reached a tentative new agreement with BCEHS and the province as of Jan. 6, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
E-Comm dispatcher Rachelle Carlow at the new South Island 9-1-1 E-Comm Centre in Saanich. (Black Press Media file photo)

Kids drawing with chalk among B.C.’s most ridiculous 911 calls of 2022

Dispatchers also heard from callers with car troubles and someone who got their phone stuck in a bench

E-Comm dispatcher Rachelle Carlow at the new South Island 9-1-1 E-Comm Centre in Saanich. (Black Press Media file photo)
Comox Valley first responders and RCMP were called to Woods Avenue in Courtenay Tuesday (Jan.3) morning.

5-year-old struck on Comox Valley road Tuesday morning

Part of Woods Avenue was closed to traffic while first responders attended sccene

  • Jan 3, 2023
Comox Valley first responders and RCMP were called to Woods Avenue in Courtenay Tuesday (Jan.3) morning.
Residents are advised to keep tabs on the ongoing changes to hours at the Chemainus Urgent Care Centre. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Limited physician availability impacts Island community’s Urgent Care Centre hours

Six closure dates during the first half of January in Chemainus

Residents are advised to keep tabs on the ongoing changes to hours at the Chemainus Urgent Care Centre. (Photo by Don Bodger)
Crews from two departments include Central Saanich responded to the aftermath of a collision on Highway 17 that sent this vehicle down an embankment near the future Keating Flyover. (Ryan Vantreight/Submitted)

Monday morning collision sends vehicle down Central Saanich embankment

Two women suffered non-critical injuries in incident that happened Monday morning at 10:30 a.m.

Crews from two departments include Central Saanich responded to the aftermath of a collision on Highway 17 that sent this vehicle down an embankment near the future Keating Flyover. (Ryan Vantreight/Submitted)
Sidney Volunteer Fire Department Chief Brett Mikkelsen says the department has never been busier with calls up some 25 per cent in 2022 over historic peak in 2018. (Town of Sidney/Submitted)

Sidney fire department broke ‘all’ records for calls in 2022. But why?

Other factors cited by fire chief include end of COVID-19 restrictions, higher density and climate change

Sidney Volunteer Fire Department Chief Brett Mikkelsen says the department has never been busier with calls up some 25 per cent in 2022 over historic peak in 2018. (Town of Sidney/Submitted)
Crews with North Saanich Fire Department responded to a car fire near the northbound McTavish Road exit on Highway 17 Wednesday evening. (North Saanich Volunteer Firefighters Association/Facebook)

Vehicle fire in North Saanich near Sidney on Highway 17 temporarily closes McTavish Road exit

North Saanich Fire Department responded to the scene just before 6:30 p.m.

Crews with North Saanich Fire Department responded to a car fire near the northbound McTavish Road exit on Highway 17 Wednesday evening. (North Saanich Volunteer Firefighters Association/Facebook)
This photo shows the aftermath of an early Tuesday morning fire. A man arrested at the site is scheduled to appear in court Tuesday afternoon. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

Sidney/North Saanich RCMP interrupt arson in downtown Sidney

Sidney, Central Saanich, North Saanich firefighters respond to downtown fire Tuesday

This photo shows the aftermath of an early Tuesday morning fire. A man arrested at the site is scheduled to appear in court Tuesday afternoon. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
Crews from Central Saanich and Sidney joined crews from North Saanich in responding to a structure fire in North Saanich Tuesday morning. (Central Saanich Fire Department/Twitter)

Firefighters from North Saanich, Central Saanich and Sidney respond to fire in middle of snow storm

Crews responded to a garage-outbuilding on Tatlow Road around 2 a.m.

Crews from Central Saanich and Sidney joined crews from North Saanich in responding to a structure fire in North Saanich Tuesday morning. (Central Saanich Fire Department/Twitter)
Multiple fake emergency calls have been sent out by Apple products in rural B.C. areas in the last couple of weeks. (Kimberley SAR/Special to The News)

B.C. search and rescue warns nature goers about relying on tech in the wilderness

Reminder comes amidst rise in false emergency calls being sent by Apple products

Multiple fake emergency calls have been sent out by Apple products in rural B.C. areas in the last couple of weeks. (Kimberley SAR/Special to The News)
From left to right: paramedic MJ Brownlee presented Greg and Tina Valliere and Greg Slobodin with the Vital Link Award at the Denman Island paramedic station Dec. 13 during a special award ceremony. Photo by Erin Haluscchak

Trio honoured for emergency roadside rescue on Denman Island

Vital Link Award presented to honour skillful actions of one or more bystanders

From left to right: paramedic MJ Brownlee presented Greg and Tina Valliere and Greg Slobodin with the Vital Link Award at the Denman Island paramedic station Dec. 13 during a special award ceremony. Photo by Erin Haluscchak
(E-Comm911/Facebook)

Can you order me a taxi? Nuisance 911 calls to Kelowna RCMP in 2022

Neighbours cutting grass, playing video games among nuisances

(E-Comm911/Facebook)
(Josh Berson photo)

Kelowna to have only 7 ambulances after BC Emergency Health Services cuts

The Union of Ambulance Paramedics in B.C. say Kelowna could experience longer wait times.

(Josh Berson photo)
Police vehicle outside the Chemainus Health Care Auxiliary Thrift Shop. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Woman fine after fall in dumbwaiter lift at Island Thrift Shop

WorkSafeBC looking into the incident to make recommendations

Police vehicle outside the Chemainus Health Care Auxiliary Thrift Shop. (Photo by Don Bodger)