Why are our firefighters there too?

Cranbrook Fire & Emergency Services (CFES) plays an important and growing role in prehospital emergency care.

How and why there is value in our department responding to medical calls in Cranbrook was the focus of a Committee-of-the-Whole meeting of council on May 5.

When someone in Cranbrook dials 911 for a life-threatening medical emergency, firefighters are sent alongside BC Ambulance. This is not unique to Cranbrook; it’s common practice across the province. Fire departments are often the closest, best-equipped teams to respond to these emergencies quickly. In emergencies like heart attacks or overdoses, every second matters. Our crews can begin life-saving care immediately, often before paramedics arrive.

“As Fire Chief, I’ve seen firsthand how stretched ambulance services can be. Increasingly, our local ambulances are tied up on other calls or delayed at the hospital. In these cases, without fire department support, life-saving care could be delayed,” said Scott Driver, Fire Chief, Cranbrook Fire & Emergency Services.

“This is where our firefighters’ step in, not to replace paramedics, but to support the prehospital care system that has relied on fire departments for decades. It’s a model that works, and it’s a choice our community has made to ensure timely help is always available.”

A common question asked is: Why do multiple fire trucks sometimes show up at a medical emergency?

The answer is simple. Critical medical emergencies often need more than just one or two responders. For example, in an overdose or cardiac arrest situation, care might require:

• Patient assessment and chest compressions or naloxone administration (one);
• Managing the patient’s airway and breathing (one or two);
• Packaging and carrying the patient, which may take up to four people (one to four);
• Supervising the scene and keeping accurate records (one).

And that’s just the medical side. Some emergencies also take place in unsafe or unpredictable environments.

Protecting our crews is a priority, and sometimes extra support from the RCMP is needed to keep everyone safe.

It’s also important to remember that the 911 caller doesn’t always paint the full picture. What’s reported to dispatch may not necessarily match what’s happening on scene. That’s why more resources are sent at first and then adjusted once the facts are known. If fewer responders are needed, those crews are released to get back to other calls or duties.

“This system helps us act fast when seconds count, without being wasteful. It also helps manage costs. Once an emergency is under control, our officers can release staff and avoid calling in costly overtime. That keeps our crews ready and our budget in check,” said Driver.

“In the end, this approach is about delivering the best care possible to the people of Cranbrook and using the tools and personnel we have in the most cost-effective way.”

e-KNOW file photos

City of Cranbrook

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