(File Photo/ paNOW Staff)

By Ronald Quaroni

Emergency Adjustments

Local dispatchers help manage COVID-19 response

Apr 15, 2020 | 12:35 PM

Now more than ever, Prince Albert and the north is relying upon its emergency telecommunications staff to be that calm and collected voice on the other side of the phone.

As COVID-19 has progressed, local dispatchers have become busier, not only receiving emergency calls but coordinating other steps in dealing with the novel coronavirus.

“Our numbers are up, I don’t have an accurate number for you on the increase, but we are seeing more calls on a weekly and daily basis,” Director of Public Affairs with Parkland Ambulance Lyle Karasiuk told paNOW.

Karasiuk said people dialing 9-1-1 should always be honest and upfront with information that could be important when emergency services arrive, especially if the response is related to COVID-19.

He explained dispatch staff are being closely monitored to ensure they stay healthy and have the tools they need, like hand sanitizer, to keep infection possibilities down.

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From April 12-18 Parkland Ambulance is calling on people to celebrate that key link in the emergency response chain, during Emergency Telecommunications Week.

“The coordination part (of an emergency) is key, and when we are talking about a busy center like ours that looks after the north… it’s a busy place, answering 620-odd calls a week,” Karasiuk said.

“We just want to salute the hardworking team that we have, certainly in our medical communications and coordination centre and the other two provincial centre’s. Recognizing all our partners right across Saskatchewan,” he said.

Minister Responsible for Government Relations Lori Carr told paNOW it takes a special kind of person to remain calm and professional while speaking to someone who is likely having the worst day of their life.

“The Government of Saskatchewan recognizes the sacrifices and commitments that these professionals make everyday in order to answer those critical calls for help from our citizens, along with providing a vital lifeline to first responders,” Carr said.

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Ron.quaroni@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @RonaldQuaroni