Nearly 100 people in Chipman, N.B., spent Saturday on picket lines, protesting proposed cuts to local ambulance services.
The village found out last month the provincial government plans to eliminate one of two ambulances stationed there, citing low usage.
“The Government of New Brunswick (was given) information that there was only 175 calls in the Chipman area and it didn’t warrant two trucks in the area. But the second truck in Chipman is very seldom in Chipman,” said CUPE local president Judy Astle.
Paramedics say the ambulance serves many surrounding communities.
“Millcove, Stanley, Boiestown, Doaktown, everywhere in between all the way to Fredericton,” says paramedic Holly Dupuis. “And we do all the Fredericton surrounding areas at nighttime, so taking this truck out of service is always affecting everybody in Fredericton.”
The planned cuts will also mean the loss of nearly 10 full- and part-time paramedic jobs.
“I’ve moved to this community from Moncton, started a life here. My children are here. I love Chipman, I started my career in Minto and Chipman, so I’d like to stay here. But the removal of this ambulance, if it’s done I’m not going to be here,” Dupuis says.
Community members don’t want to lose the potentially life-saving service.
“Two-and-a-half years ago, my husband has a heart attack in my kitchen. He did die. I performed CPR while I was on (the phone) with 911,” says Lesa McInnis. “This ambulance that they’re trying to get rid of was the only ambulance that was close. If it hadn’t have been there, my CPR wouldn’t have done any good. He would have died on me.”
Residents are planning to head to the provincial legislature at the end of the month to protest yet again.
With files from CTV Atlantic’s Ashley Blackford
