B.C. promises bolstered heatwave response after deadly spell last month

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – The province is promising emergency services will be there, in the midst of a second B.C. heatwave in as many months.

With heat warnings in place across B.C., the provincial government says Emergency Management BC is working with local communities and First Nations and has made financial supports available to them. They include the cost opening of cooling centres and the transportation to and from those centres, where necessary.

In June’s heatwave, sudden deaths quadrupled compared to the average for that time period.

On Friday, the B.C. Coroner’s Service confirmed that 569 people died from extreme heat between June 15 and July 29. Of those whom died, 79 per cent were over the age of 65.

The coroner says this number is preliminary and is expected to go up.

“We are again about to experience unusually high temperatures in some parts of the province this weekend,” Chief Coroner Lisa Lapointe said. “Knowing that our older residents are more vulnerable, we ask that you please look out for family, friends and neighbours, particularly those who are elderly and live alone. Whenever possible, people are encouraged to visit cooler environments, such as cooling centres, malls, libraries and other air-conditioned community spaces for essential respite from the effects of severe heat.”

Home care workers @adriandix says will be checking in on customers.
He also says don't hesitate to call 911 if you need help – they are ready (during the heat dome where hundreds died ambulance wait times were at times hours)#bcpoli @NEWS1130

— LizaYuzda (@LizaYuzda) July 30, 2021

The province says the chief ambulance officer is “working with paramedic and dispatch leaders to ensure staff are prepared for the hotter weather.”

Earlier this month, the province pledged to hire more staff for ambulatory care, after the loss of hundreds of lives during June’s heatwave due to a gap in service. A flood of calls to 911 resulted in long wait times for people who required emergency services, and compounded the ongoing problem of lengthy ambulance wait times.

Q: are there enough paramedics this weekend to avoid waits during heat dome?@adriandix steps have been taken to increase calls able to be received and reasonable response times#bcpoli @NEWS1130

— LizaYuzda (@LizaYuzda) July 30, 2021

“We are mobilized to assist,” Health Minister Adrian Dix said. “With respect to emergency health services, if you or a loved one experiences heat-related illness, and you need help, please call 911. The BC Ambulance Service is ready to serve you.”

Dix is urging everyone pitch in and try to keep people safe.

“[We are] asking all British Columbians to help out their family members, neighbours and others during this extraordinary time,” he said.

“One of the best things you can do is check in with the folks who, you know, may be isolated, especially those who have chronic conditions for physical or mental health, and those who are living alone,” Dr. Sarah Henderson with the BC Centre for Disease Control added.

Preparing for the heat @CDCofBC Dr Henderson says
-keep hot out keep: doors/windows closed when hot, open up at night when cooler
-drink water reglarly
-use wet towel to cool
– if you see confusion, dizzy, fainting call for help then cool that person down#bcpoli @NEWS1130

— LizaYuzda (@LizaYuzda) July 30, 2021

It isn’t just the heat that’s posing a threat in B.C. Metro Vancouver’s air quality is expected to deteriorate quickly in the coming days.

An air quality advisory has been issued for the Fraser Valley and eastern part of Metro Vancouver.

The Metro Vancouver regional district says high concentrations of ground-level ozone are expected due to the hot and sunny weather.

Wildfire smoke from the B.C. Interior and Washington state may make things even worse, with the regional district noting smoke may reach parts of the South Coast on Saturday and linger until Sunday.

With files from Nikitha Martins, Ben Wilson, Tamara Slobogean, Charlie Carey and Liza Yuzda