Local officials are concerned about the possibility that the second ambulance in Barriere might be pulled out of service in the North Thompson Valley, and are voicing their concerns to B.C. Health Minister Josie Osborne in a joint letter outlining the critical need for keeping the additional "Juliet Car service" stationed in Barriere.
According to District of Barriere (DOB) mayor-elect Rob Kerslake, the ambulance is vital to maintaining safety along the Highway 5 corridor. On March 7, he told Black Press about the joint letter being sent to Osborne.
"Kukpi7 George Lampreau from Simpcw First Nation, TNRD director for Area 'O' Jill Hayward and I signed and sent the letter on March 4 to the Minister of Health, Ms. Osborne, expressing our strong support on behalf of the whole valley, which also includes Clearwater, in continuing the funding and operation of the BC Emergency Health Service (BCEHS) Juliet car stationed in Barriere."
TNRD director Hayward said, "Thank you to BC Emergency Health Services for stepping forward in providing a second ambulance to Barriere and the Lower North Thompson Valley over the past two years. It has made a huge difference in our emergency services, and has been greatly appreciated. Over the past two years the number of travellers and commercial vehicles on this highway does not appear to have declined, but poor driving and risk taking has increased. On behalf of all who travel and/or reside in this area, please do not remove the Juliet car service stationed in Barriere."
The Juliet service (temporary service) has proven to be what local representatives see as "an essential and life-saving component of health care access" for the North Thompson region, according to the letter submitted to the minister. It urges the provincial government to “maintain current service levels beyond the upcoming expected on or before March 10 review.” The additional ambulance has been in operation for over two years.
“It has consistently provided essential support across a large geographical area from Barriere to Blue River, with the service being not only vital for residents in the valley but those travelling the Highway 5 corridor," said Kerslake. "There are currently only four ambulance vehicles in operation serving our whole valley: two in Clearwater, one in Barriere and this additional Juliet car, which acts as a floater.
"The use of this Juliet Car and its ability to respond flexibly to emergencies across communities, even providing support to Kamloops when needed, has made a noticeable difference in patient outcomes over the past two years' time."
District of Clearwater mayor Merlin Blackwell strongly supports the request of valley officials. “Clearwater- and Barriere-based ambulance crews have had a long history of working together and covering for each other," he said. "We see a lot of accidents on the highway we share, accidents that often take crews away for long periods of time, often with trips into Kamloops.
"Losing one active ambulance shift is a big deal. It means that when things go sideways, we may come up short with critically needed help. Until Barriere has a fully functioning local clinic, it’s critical that ambulance service levels remain as they have been for the last couple of years.”
A statement issued to Black Press from Cindy Leong, BCEHS communications officer, states that BCEHS knows how important paramedic services are to people throughout the province, including in rural and remote communities.
Leong adds that there have been significant investments in services, with total provincial spending on emergency health care services increasing by more than $475 million since 2017.This resulted in the hiring of an additional 1,900 new full-time and part-time permanent paramedic, emergency medical responder and dispatch positions, with more than 900 of these paramedics working in rural and remote communities.
Leong refers to the Barriere ambulance station as an Alpha station, meaning the station is staffed 24/7 by paramedics working out of that station. Barriere also has a full-time community paramedic position. In 2022, to support staffing in the broader North Thompson and Kamloops area, the BCEHS temporarily added paramedic resources based out of Barriere.
Leong says that the additional resource was always meant to be temporary. Now that overall staffing in the region has increased, BCEHS — in consultation and collaboration with local communities — is reviewing the need for this additional resource based in Barriere. Leong says these discussions will take into account all aspects of the services BCEHS provides, to ensure communities throughout the region continue to receive prompt and reliable emergency service in the years to come.
"My hope is with this collaborative effort it ensures that the decision makers understand the importance of this critical service for the whole valley," says Kerslake. "[It will] enable us to maintain the current level of service we have now for the safety of everyone."
