Client: Announcements
Date: June 16, 2011
Overview
From the period of 5:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m., BCAS received 341 calls for ambulance service in the City of Vancouver, primarily in the downtown core.
This compares to 100 calls that BCAS typically would respond to on a non-game day in Vancouver and 206 calls the previous Friday (Game 5 in Vancouver) for the period beginning at 1:00 p.m.
BCAS paramedics got to every call, although BCAS encouraged callers to take themselves to the hospital if possible (this was during the period where police had shutdown the downtown core and deemed it unsafe for paramedics and fire fighters).
The calls attended were consistent with hospital cases – minor injuries from falls and being trampled on at sky train platforms; general sick person (alcohol/substance use); decontamination for pepper spray; etc.
BCAS Operations
The evening presented challenges and significant work for BCAS, however, BCAS was prepared, had a plan in place, worked with emergency service and health partners, and provided the necessary patient care.
To ensure BCAS crews were able to navigate congested areas with ease and provide excellent patient care, BCAS Bike Squads and Gators were on duty in Vancouver’s downtown core.
BCAS re-deployed and added resources across the entire Lower Mainland, with particular focus in Vancouver.
In Vancouver’s downtown, this included six ambulances, 12 bike squad paramedics, four paramedics operating BCAS gators, four paramedics assisting with tear gas and pepper spray decontamination, as well as a site coordinator, dispatch operator, logistics staff and safety officer.
In addition, BCAS also asked a number of staff to stay late or start their shift early as well as moved around regional resources to ensure ambulance service in Vancouver and across the region.
Overall, what this amounts to is that despite the influx of over 100,000 people and very trying conditions, BCAS has been able to provide excellent patient care.
Contact
BCAS Communications
250-356-0449
For More Information
For The Record: BC Ambulance Service’s Response to Vancouver Riots
