Norm Macdonald MLA                                Columbia River – Revelstoke

MEDIA RELEASE

For immediate release

October 25th, 2007

Minister must submit a real plan; fixes to Revelstoke paramedics station only temporary

Columbia River – Revelstoke MLA Norm Macdonald today put forward the following question to the Minister of Health in reference to the Ministry’s plans for a permanent paramedic station in Revelstoke:

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Revelstoke paramedics do a tremendous job including looking after travelers on one of the most dangerous sections of our national highway.

Since this government changed the way the Ambulance service is organized, with a requirement that paramedics reside at the station during their shifts, there have been problems.

The ambulances in Revelstoke are now stored in half of a garage. When the Ambulance service first moved into this facility it was considered so polluted and unsafe that paramedics are not even allowed to sweep the floors around the ambulances for fear that they might stir up toxic substances.

Because the facility was so sub-standard, paramedics in Revelstoke spent last winter in a hotel, with the ambulances parked outside without shelter. Ambulances covered in snow would have to be shoveled out and warmed up before for they could go on a call out.

Thankfully the temporary situation has been improved for this winter but this is only a temporary fix.

Revelstoke needs a purpose built ambulance station immediately. What is the Minister of Health doing to make sure Revelstoke paramedics get the facility they need?