After days without emergency coverage, Stewart, B.C., secures travelling paramedics for Monday. Residents praise mayor’s push but demand a lasting fix.
Community at Risk
Stewart, B.C.—a border town of barely 500 residents—found itself suddenly unprotected when its only two paramedics went off duty. Mayor Angela Brand Danuser warned that the elderly population, summer tourists, and local miners all rely on rapid medical transport.
Service Gap Emerges
Earlier this week, 911 calls were met with silence; the nearest backup unit sat three hours away in Hazelton. Two incidents ended in frantic self‑drives to the health centre, underscoring what the mayor called “near‑misses that could have been tragedies.”
Timeline to Restoration
Brand Danuser launched a media blitz on Thursday. By Friday she confirmed that travelling paramedics will arrive Monday morning, though weekend coverage remains absent and a gap looms for 27 July.
Remote Border Setting
The district lies 515 kilometres northwest of Prince George at the Alaska line, where winding highways and harsh weather make immediate ambulance response essential.
Pressure on Provincial Agency
British Columbia’s ambulance service says it is “working to provide consistent coverage,” but the paramedics’ union argues that relying on just two on‑call staff is unsafe. Union spokesman Ian Tait urges full‑time rural positions to prevent burnout and vacancy cycles.
Temporary Fix, Long‑Term Questions
The incoming crew is part of a provincial “travelling paramedic” program, a costly stop‑gap that flies urban staff north on overtime. Residents welcome the reprieve but insist permanent hiring is the only sustainable answer—vowing to “make noise” again if the sirens fall silent.
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