Nanaimo Fire Rescue crews have responded to 454 drug toxicity calls and counting so far this year. (File Photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

increased calls

Drug toxicity call volumes continue testing local emergency responders

Nov 23, 2021 | 5:27 AM

NANAIMO — Reviving people falling victim to Nanaimo’s ongoing drug toxicity crisis is having an increased impact on emergency responders.

Updated Nanaimo Fire Rescue (NFR) data stated their crews responded to 454 events, labeled as “overdose calls” so far in 2021, on pace to establish a new record locally.

NFR chief Tim Doyle told NanaimoNewsNOW these responses typically impact numerous resources.

“In most cases with illicit drugs and overdoses we’ll have BC Ambulance as well as RCMP there. It’s not just fire that’s tied up, it is the emergency services that are tied up.”

Doyle said there are often cases in which NFR crews arrive on scene to these calls first and must wait for BC Ambulance Service personnel to arrive.

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While many lives are saved, Doyle noted some can’t following resuscitation efforts by NFR crews.

“Experiencing that type of trauma at a higher rate than before the overdose crisis definitely puts a higher burden on our firefighters and all emergency responders,” Doyle said.

Fielding in the range of 40 drug toxicity calls a month has amplified the need for NFR frontline responders to rely on self care.

Doyle said in-house resources including a critical incident stress team and compassion fatigue training are relied upon continuously for mental health supports.

On top available mental health tools, NFR’s 85 frontline members are undergoing training to receive Emergency Medical Responder status.

“We’re nearly 30 members in our department that are trained to a higher level of medical care. It is nice to be able to have people more highly trained to respond to the overdose crisis,” Doyle said.

Five year NFR drug toxicity call volume data:

• 2021 — 454
• 2020 — 271
• 2019 — 337
• 2018 — 458

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ian@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes