paNOW file photo

By Susan McNeil

Snow safety

No increased collisions following snowfall in Prince Albert

Nov 9, 2022 | 6:00 PM

Neither SGI nor Parkland Ambulance have seen an increase in claims or collisions following the start of winter on the weekend.

Lyle Karasiuk, a spokesperson for Parkland, says that while the snow impacts how easily they can deliver services, so far call volume remains normal.

“We have not seen a significant increase in motor vehicle conditions or even medical ailments. You know, lifting snow is a bit tiresome and can be exertion,” said Karasiuk.

Parkland’s experience is backed up by data from SGI, which also saw no increase in claims.

Between November 6 and 8, there were 17 claims from Prince Albert, a reduction from the 39 claims between November 1 and 5.

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Karasiuk did ask other drivers to be aware of how the snow impacts an ambulance’s ability to respond to calls.

“Just like everybody else is finding it difficult to navigate in residential areas, so too will that happen to our ambulances,” he said. “People need to understand that if you come upon an ambulance that is parked frankly in the middle of a residential street, please don’t be upset with us.”

If an ambulance is parked in the middle of a narrow, snowy residential street, the best solution for other drivers is to find an alternate route.

Usually, ambulances will park to the side but that is not always possible.

“Someone’s care depends on us getting them to the hospital in a timely fashion and getting stuck is not necessarily what we want to do,” Karasiuk said.

Another way to speed things up is to make sure sidewalks and driveways are cleared of snow and people calling 911 to get help are asked to let the operator know what is the best access to their location.

“If we can’t get up to the door with a stretcher, which in itself is a feat, we’re going to need to carry you through the snow and use other means,” said Karsiuk.

Rural callers can also help a great deal by knowing which roads are better for travelling, such as bus routes.

If a driver becomes stuck on a highway or out in a rural area, the safest place to be is in their vehicle.

Trying to walk for help can have disastrous consequences.

Last winter, 14 people in Saskatchewan died of hypothermia or exposure. Of those, 11 were in the rural areas and six had alcohol or drugs as a contributing factor.

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susan.mcneil@pattisonmedia.com