Medavie Health Services West had a record year in 2021, with 45 years of service in Saskatoon and area. Spokesperson Troy Davies says there was a 15 per cent increase in EMS responses with 39,,836 in total. The year includes a 31 per cent increase in Narcan being administered to patients who are overdosing, with 604 in all.

He adds constant changes to PPE requirements for paramedics, supply change issues with the pandemic, adding a few more ambulances and hiring 24 more paramedics are also a part of 2021. Davies says, “The stress of being a paramedic has never been higher. With higher call volumes, increased pressures with COVID and calls associated with the pandemic, like mental health and drug abuse, our staff have never been busier.”