BC Emergency Health Services deployed its rapid response team for a second time this past Saturday (January 16th).
One critical care paramedic and one primary care paramedic have been stationed in Williams Lake.
The first deployment, which saw an extension, was to Fort St. James in December.
BCEHS says a second replacement crew will start tomorrow and will be deployed until the end of shift this Thursday.
Spokesperson Shannon Miller explained the primary role of the team is to support the community’s existing paramedics in both patient transfers and 9-1-1 medical responses.
Miller added the rural community of about 10,000 is currently experiencing high levels of COVID-19 patients and that they are working closely with Interior Health to be called upon, as needed for support at Cariboo Memorial Hospital.
In response, the City of Williams Lake has increased its Emergency Operations Centre response to a Level 2 — also done this past Saturday.
“(It) means there will be a few more staff working on it and we’ll be increasing our communications with the stakeholders within the community including Interior Health,” said Erick Peterson, EOC Director,
Peterson said the City is working hard to help ensure that everyone stays healthy and safe, and will be providing regular updates.
-With files from Pat Matthews, My Cariboo Now