Abbotsford hires new firefighters in response to opioid crisis
Service has seen called out to 50% more incidents compared to 5 years ago
The City of Abbotsford is hiring six new firefighters to keep up with the dramatic spike in calls the department has been flooded with since the opioid crisis erupted.
Mayor Henry Braun expects the full-time positions will be filled this June.
"Last year the Abbotsford Fire Rescue Service attended more than 9,000 incidents, which represents an increase of almost 50 per cent over the past five years," Braun said in a release.
"With this level of increased service demand, council felt it was vital that our emergency services remain appropriately staffed to ensure our community safety is maintained."
Council approved the hirings at Monday's meeting.
Abbotsford had 49 illicit drug overdose deaths in 2017, up from 39 the previous year.
In 2014 there were seven illicit drug overdose deaths in the city, according to data from the B.C. Coroners Service.
More hiring
The city is also adding four new positions to its planning department to help deal with the increase of building permits that are being issued.
Abbotsford set a record in 2018 when it issued more than 1,500 permits, worth $480 million.
Altogether, the 10 new positions will cost the city $510,000.
Braun says the money will come from new growth in the city and fees from the increase in development activity.