British Columbia Health Minister Adrian Dix is imploring people to stay off the roads unless they have to, as demands for ambulances increase.
“If you don’t need to be on the road, please don’t be on the road, because ambulances don’t have any choice. They do a lot of preparation for this — but when it’s difficult for anybody to travel, you can imagine when you have to get somewhere quickly how difficult it is in those conditions,” Dix said.
A snowfall warning has once again been issued for Metro Vancouver, the Fraser Valley and parts of Vancouver Island Monday.
With the latest snow storm blowing in, Dix says it’s also crucial to be extra respectful when seeing or hearing emergency vehicles coming, and to get out of the way.
Environment Canada issued warnings for Metro Vancouver, Greater Victoria, Malahat Highway – Goldstream to Mill Bay, Fraser Valley, Sunshine Coast – Gibsons to Earls Cove, Southern Gulf Islands, East Vancouver Island – Duncan to Nanaimo, East Vancouver Island – Nanoose Bay to Fanny Bay, West Vancouver Island, and inland Vancouver Island.
Dix says leaving roads clear for emergency vehicles will allow hospital and emergency staff to get where they need to be safely.
“We don’t get fewer calls when it gets colder, we get more calls. And so the system has to be at 100 per cent when the conditions deteriorate significantly, and that means we all have to act to support our ambulance, paramedics. People are ready but it’s difficult as well – it’s really difficult for them.”
