New statistics released by the City of Calgary indicate a significant surge in overdose-related calls for the fire department this year compared to the previous year. Fire Chief Steve Dongworth noted that the rise in overdose incidents is part of a broader increase in medical emergencies, potentially leading to a record-breaking number of responses by the department.
Dongworth highlighted that overdose calls now constitute around half of all emergency calls, underscoring the evolving role of firefighters in addressing community health crises. This shift in responsibilities poses new challenges for the department, impacting service performance and response reliability.
To tackle these challenges, the fire department has been evaluating the necessity of fire response to different types of calls. However, despite these efforts, the capacity created by reallocating resources is being consumed by the escalating number of opioid overdoses and other medical emergencies.
These types of emergency calls also take an emotional toll on the staff, as they often involve individuals facing distressing situations with potentially fatal outcomes. Dongworth mentioned an uptick in staff members taking leaves of absence due to the demanding nature of these calls.
Looking ahead, Dongworth emphasized that the department will require increased budget allocations from the city to address the growing demand for medical responses, particularly overdose-related incidents. He also called upon the provincial government to provide financial support to offset the costs associated with the surge in medical calls.
In response to the department’s requests, Maddison McKee, a press secretary for Hospital and Surgical Health Services, stated that the ministry acknowledges the fire department’s crucial role in responding to medical emergencies. McKee mentioned that the department already receives funding through Alberta’s Medical First Response Program to support additional medical services provided by municipalities.
Addiction specialist Monty Ghosh, affiliated with the University of Calgary and University of Alberta, cited changes in the local drug supply as a possible factor contributing to the rise in overdoses. Ghosh highlighted the emergence of more potent forms of fentanyl combined with potent animal tranquilizers in street drugs, affecting the efficacy of naloxone in overdose responses.
Ghosh suggested that the evolving drug supply dynamics might be influencing the increase in calls to emergency services, as community members struggle to manage overdose situations independently, necessitating external support from EMS or fire services.