September 24, 2009
This year's wild fire season has been one of the most active and dangerous in recent memory, in fact over 3,000 wild fires were recorded this year burning more than 210,000 hectares; almost the same amount as the destructive wild fires in 2003.
With so many communities impacted, BC Ambulance Service (BCAS) paramedic, dispatch, management, facilities and information technology (IT) staff were all involved in coordinating BCAS' response. Across the province paramedics supported the fire fighting efforts by providing rehydration to forest fire crews, attending to numerous patients impacted by poor air quality and extreme heat, supporting patient relocations and securing equipment. Dispatch and IT staff worked together to ensure continued communication with crews who had been evacuated, while managers identified short and long term resource and staffing needs, implementing contingency plans and working with local Emergency Operations Centres.
BCAS paramedic Chris Colbourne was not only evacuated from the Lillooet station, but also her home. After her experience Chris had the following to say, "This summer I have had the privilege of working with some of the finest people I have met in my 25 years in the BC Ambulance Service. During the evacuation of Lillooet when fires raged above my home crew members and management alike came to help. Thank you so much!"
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