By Linda Harrington

No one EVER wants this to happen during an emergency but there could be times when our communities are without immediate ambulance coverage.

Recent tweets from the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE Local 727), which represents Paramedics in Nova Scotia, indicate a severe ambulance shortage in the province.

The tweets are referenced as "Code Critical", and in an effort to draw attention to the dire situation, they list areas in the Province without ambulances available at any given time,.

"#CodeCritical at 3:30PM in Northern Zone with 0 units available in Colchester County and Cumberland County", "#Code Critical at 5pm in Northern Zone with no units available between Antigonish and Pugwash", were just two of numerous tweets made recently. The tweets continue listing over and over the shortages across the province.

This is not a new situation. The Province commissioned the "Fitch Report" three years ago to look at ways to improve ambulance service but to date it has not been released.

The Emergency Health Services (EHS) web page states there are over 1000 paramedics registered in the province with EHS providing both ground emergency response and Life Flight helicopters.

A paramedic, who wishes to remain anonymous, says they are assigned 12-hour shifts, working a 4 days on, 4 days off schedule but these shifts often run overtime. "It is difficult to even get time for a lunch break during your shift and many days you work 15 hours straight." This would make for a very long day for anyone but even more so for someone already working a stress filled shift.

Michael Nickerson, IUOE 727 Business Manager, who was a paramedic for close to 19 years, knows personally how this situation is affecting the paramedics. "These availability issues take a toll on paramedics mentally and emotionally. We get into this line of work to help people. When there are calls waiting that they can't get to, or they're on their way to an emergency call from an outside area, that weighs on them heavily."

EHS requires two paramedics for each ambulance on a shift. If only one paramedic is available, they are paired with another half-staffed truck. This could be one reason there are shortages, but long patient transfer times at the hospitals can also keep an ambulance tied up in off load delay. Paramedics remain with their patients, managing their care until emergency beds/care is available in hospital.

Deputy Premier Karen Casey was asked recently about the effects of ambulance shortages, especially in rural areas. She responded, "The base locations sites of ambulances and their availability across the province is a topic of discussion that needs to continue. I am advocating for consideration of a base site along the shore, between Truro and Parrsboro. Winter weather conditions and geography are realities that must be considered when providing service in rural Nova Scotia."

Since the start of the pandemic, local Fire Department’s Medical First Responders have no longer been attending medical calls which puts rural communities even further at risk. Prior to Covid-19, trained First Responders would often arrive at medical calls before the paramedics, providing critical emergency treatment to stabilize a patient. Now each medical emergency must wait for an ambulance and it could be coming from as far away as Amherst or Pictou…or further!

A family in Bass River was recently left grieving the loss of their wife and mother and they are looking for answers as to why it took so long for help to arrive after placing a call to 911. Local Councillor Tom Taggart says, "Unfortunately there is nothing we can do that will help this family. However, we need our questions answered and we need understanding and to begin the steps to prevent this happening in the future. We need to begin a discussion with local Fire Medical Responders to discuss options like having ambulances stationed in alternate locations like in Debert at Exit 13 or Exit 10, when possible and not always sitting in Truro."

It is scary to think this EHS shortage could be one mass casualty incident away from disaster. You can make your voice heard by joining the IUOE Local 727 "Release the Fitch Report" letter writing campaign.

You can find the campaign here: https://iuoe727.ca/release-the-fitch-report