Image credit: City of Merritt/MFR

By Marty Hastings

MERRITT FIRE RESCUE

Merritt Fire Rescue pursing provincial funding

Mar 23, 2024 | 3:00 PM

MERRITT — Merritt Fire Rescue is pursuing financial aid from the provincial government to help cover the cost of increased medical calls.

Fire chief David Tomkinson has asked Merritt city council to approve his recommendation that city staff send an invoice to the province to recover expenses and request a fee for service.

The recommendation will be considered during the regular council meeting on Tuesday (March 26).

In a report to City of Merritt CAO Cynthia White, Tomkinson notes increasing emergency medical services obligations and risk, and talks of the fire department’s role in filling gaps amid the BC Ambulance Service staffing crisis and emergency-room closures.

“Nevertheless, the absence of a Plan B underscores the critical role played by the MFRD, serving as the ultimate line of defence and the vital glue that holds the community’s safety net together in terms of pre-hospital care,” Tomkinson said in the report.

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“The prospect of citizens receiving no care remains a less desirable and impractical option, further emphasizing the indispensable role of the MFRD.”

Tomkinson said there are instances when BC Ambulance is not readily available, as it is a provincial service that must respond in communities outside of Merritt, duties that result in extended wait times for patients in the city.

Neighbouring Kamloops is among communities seeking solutions to its fire department taking on responsibilities and costs related to medical calls that it says are the province’s responsibility.