Emergency calls

Campbell River RCMP. Photo by Marc Kitteringham/Campbell River Mirror

Truck crashes into Campbell River bowling alley doors

Photo on social media shows truck stuck in doors of building

 

Kathy Gillies is fighting for better cellular phone coverage after being unable to communicate with a 911 dispatcher from Hammond Bay the night her husband Ken suffered a heart attack and died before help could arrive. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)

Man’s death underlines need for better cell coverage in Nanaimo

Widow lives with not knowing whether getting through to 911 could have saved her husband’s life

 

Next Generation 9-1-1 will allow users to text emergencies in promising to revolutionize emergency dispatching. But it will also generate additional costs and UBCM delegates are calling on the province to introduce a call-answer levy on cellphones to help generate the necessary revenues. (Black Press Media file photo)

Next Generation 9-1-1 promises B.C. emergency dispatching revolution

E-Comm compares incoming emergency response system to replacing rotary phones with smart phones

 

Rescue crews in Gold Creek. (The News files)

Pair survives going over waterfall in Golden Ears Park

Maple Ridge first responders rescue injured man, woman made it to shore

Rescue crews in Gold Creek. (The News files)
Nanaimo-Ladysmith MP Lisa Marie Barron and Nanaimo Mayor Leonard Krog discuss details of Bill C-345, which aims to improve protection against violence for all first responders, during a press conference at Nanaimo Fire Rescue Station No. 1 on Wednesday, June 28. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)

Proposed legislation could help protect firefighters and paramedics from violence

Nanaimo-Ladysmith MP backs bill to stiffen penalties for violence against first responders

Nanaimo-Ladysmith MP Lisa Marie Barron and Nanaimo Mayor Leonard Krog discuss details of Bill C-345, which aims to improve protection against violence for all first responders, during a press conference at Nanaimo Fire Rescue Station No. 1 on Wednesday, June 28. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)

Province rings up $1.6 million to rattle British Columbians about smoke alarms

Smoke alarms can cut risk of death by 50 per cent, but not enough homes in B.C. have them

Sarah Shaw, critical care paramedic Prince George, second from left; Alex Mattes, paramedic supervisor from the central Island; Ryan Casselman, paramedic practice educator from the central Island; and Tyrone Trotter, paramedic supervisor from the south Island represented Canada and brought home a silver medal from an international first responders competition in the Czech Republic last month. (Photo submitted)

Island paramedics help Team Canada B.C. earns silver in international competition

Competition in Czech Republic featured 23 teams of paramedics, doctors and police officers

Sarah Shaw, critical care paramedic Prince George, second from left; Alex Mattes, paramedic supervisor from the central Island; Ryan Casselman, paramedic practice educator from the central Island; and Tyrone Trotter, paramedic supervisor from the south Island represented Canada and brought home a silver medal from an international first responders competition in the Czech Republic last month. (Photo submitted)
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

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

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)
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

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
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

Island Highway condos evacuated after mudslide in Campbell River

No cars damaged when parkades come crashing down in Island Highway, below 700 block of Ash St.

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. Highway

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 Chemainus Urgent Care hours

Six closure dates during the first half of January

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)