Medavie Health Services West says although they responded to just 63 more emergency response calls compared to last year, it was another record year for paramedics in Saskatoon.

Director of Public Affairs Troy Davies says overall paramedics responded to 42,188 emergency calls in 2024 which is a record number. But it was Saskatoon community paramedics who saw a big jump in call numbers. Davies explains the kind of calls community paramedics would see.

“It might be they’re dehydrated or they’re maybe a cancer patient where they need some fluids or you know patients who might need to, basically be seen at home where they don’t need to be required to be taken to the hospital. Whether they’re having some challenges with their blood glucose levels if they’re diabetic whatever it might be or it might be some detox issues as well.”

Saskatoon Community Paramedics responded to 8,032 events in 2024 up from 3,623 the year before. Community paramedics treat patients in the community as an alternative to ambulance responses or a visit to an Emergency Room.

They have also seen a significant decrease in the amount of Narcan administered to patients due to the fact it is being administered prior to their arrival. Davies says the outreach team with Saskatoon Fire, Saskatoon Police, Medavie, Prairie Harm, Salvation Army are all among those helping with educating people on the use of Narcan and are also handing out Narcan kits.