The Barriere Ambulance Station has undergone a number of changes this year.
Well known Ambulance Chief Tim Hoffman retired from his position and now only works part time.
Stepping into Hoffman’s shoes as of last week is paramedic Jason Platteel. Platteel has been with the BC Ambulance Service since 1999; serving as Ambulance Chief in Ashcroft for one year, and before that eight years at the Dispatch Centre in Kamloops.
The new Chief lives in Kamloops and says his girlfriend is also a paramedic.
Those who have recently driven past the Barriere ambulance station on Barriere Town Road will have noticed the brand new sign outside the depot. It’s colourful, and easy to read at a distance.
The most recent change to the station is new uniforms for the paramedics.
Over 3,600 BC Ambulance Service (BCAS) paramedics and dispatchers have recently traded in their traditional white and blue uniforms for an all blue uniform.
BCAS has worn white uniform shirts since its inception over 37 years ago, however, the white shirts must be replaced frequently due to discoloration and stains, and the material has not held up well to the day to day wear and tear of paramedics.
With feedback from the staff consistently echoing these concerns, BCAS conducted a staff survey to change uniform. With more than 70 per cent of the feedback in support of changing the white shirts the decision was easy.
The initial conversion represents an acceleration of cost that would otherwise have been incurred over time as the existing shirts were replaced by paramedics. In addition, by changing to a darker, higher quality shirt, BCAS says they are expecting to realize longer-term cost saving through reduced orders for replacement shirts.
The change in material and colour also reflects what is currently the industry standard in Canadian EMS agencies.
