BCEHS says there were no heat-related calls in Revelstoke during heat dome

Last week, B.C. Coroners Service released regional data regarding deaths during the late June heatwave. However, despite multiple requests, no specific data is available for the Revelstoke region.

From June 25 to July 1, the B.C. Coroners Service (BCS) responded to 110 deaths in the Interior Health region. That number is more than double the regional average from the past five years. From 2016 to 2020, BCS responded to an average of 46 deaths per year during the same time frame. Despite the surge, death tolls beyond health regions remain unknown.

Read more about the initial coroner’s announcement in response to the heatwave here:

B.C. Coroners Service: No regional data on heatwave deaths available

Emergency call data fills some gaps left by provincial entities

In response to last week’s release, Revelstoke Mountaineer staff requested Revelstoke-specific data from BCS and Interior Health. Although BCS did provide updated data for the Interior Health region, neither entities provided any information about any potential heat wave-related deaths within the Revelstoke region.

British Columbia Emergency Health Services (BCEHS) did respond to our requests, and Revelstoke may have not seen the same detrimental death tolls reported in other areas. According to BCEHS, paramedics did not respond to any heat-related calls in Revelstoke from June 24 to July 4. However, Revelstoke paramedics did respond to a heat-related call in Golden on June 29. A previous email from Revelstoke RCMP reveal that they did receive a few heat-related calls, but did not respond to any serious incidents.

Throughout the rest of the province, paramedics stayed busy during the heatwave. On June 28, BCEHS saw the biggest call volume in provincial history. Paramedics responded to 1,975 patient events in one day.

Plants lining a parking lot on First Street East are scorched by the sun. Photo: Aaron Orlando/Revelstoke Mountaineer Magazine

B.C. NDP faces criticism over heatwave response

In the face of a historic summer, the BC NDP is facing criticism from opposition over their response to the heat wave. The BC Liberals called for an independent review of the province’s response on July 7. According to a press release from the BC Liberal Caucus, a review would examine the communication of threats posed by heat, emergency health services response times, and precautions taken to assist seniors.

The release also highlights a 2019 report that warns of provincial unpreparedness in the case of extreme weather. The Liberals state that the NDP did not follow the advice provided in the report.

“It is clear that lessons need to be learned from the devastating loss of life and the impacts on British Columbians all across the province,” said Interim Leader of the Official Opposition Shirley Bond. “To have people dying alone at home or in the driveway of a fire hall is unacceptable.”

As meteorologists predict a continuously warm and dry summer for the province, this story is sure to unfold further.

We want to hear from you:

Did you call for medical assistance during the heat wave in late June and early July? Let us know about your experience. Email [email protected].