Nelson’s Dr. Nicholas Sparrow started off the year on a positive note.
He’s been doing volunteer physician response in the area for the past five years and was able to put lights and sirens on his emergency response vehicle.
He says the process took some time.
“I had to do additional training and driver training to enable that. I had to get insurance and an agreement in place with the provincial government,” said Dr. Sparrow.
The agreement with BC Emergency Health Services is the first with a physician response organization in Canada. In the past five years, Dr. Sparrow has responded to almost 370 calls. One recently was near Shore Acres on Highway 3A; he says the truck helped him arrived safer and quicker.
“I did respond to that particular accident and was able to pass traffic that was stationary, backed up quite a long way, so the truck really does make a difference,” Dr. Sparrow iterated.
He says the addition of lights and sirens were possible thanks to help from community and sponsor donations.
The Kootenay Boundary Response Physicians Association or KERPA is also moving into phase two of its geo-mapping project which looks to show where accidental deaths are happening in the region. Ethics approval was recently obtained from Interior Health to look at different data sources. More details are to come on phase two of the project.
In the meantime, you can visit KERPA representatives at the Crescent Valley Fire Hall Open House this Saturday, May 4. Dr. Sparrow is also looking for volunteers to help cover events. You can learn more here. KERPA is also always looking for funding to help purchase equipment. A portable ulta sound was recently purchased to identify punctured lungs and internal injuries.