First Responders

First Responders Health Advice at 8-1-1

By Sandra Reutlinger

Did you know that BC Ambulance 911 calls are colour coded? Purple and Red are the calls that your local South Shuswap First Responders will be getting called out to.

Thankfully, we now have the proper personal protective equipment and have been cleared to respond. Inperson training sessions are back on schedule and we are thankful to be serving our community again. However, at this time, we won't be going out to minor calls, only those that are life threatening so if you don't see us show up it is due to the nature of the incident.

At the top of the priority are conditions such as cardiac arrest, respiratory arrest and total airway obstruction. If you call with other conditions such as minor infection, nausea etc then you may be able to resolve your problem with some advice on the phone from a nurse. Often, people need help but don't necessarily need to go the emergency department. BC 911 receives approximately 130,000 calls a year that don’t require transport to an emergency department.

Did you know you can call 811 for all kinds of health advice including "should I call an ambulance or just make an appointment with my doctor". 8-1-1 is a free-of-charge provincial health information and advice phone line available in British Columbia. The 8-1-1 phone line is operated by HealthLink BC, which is part of the Ministry of Health. By calling 8-1-1, you can speak to a health service navigator, who can help you find health information and services; or connect you directly with a registered nurse, a registered dietitian, a qualified exercise professional, or a pharmacist. Any one of these healthcare professionals will help you get the information you need to manage your health concerns, or those of your family.

Having local emergency medical responders are essential to our community and your first responders are trained volunteers who believe in assisting our community members with their health and wellbeing. You are welcome to talk to us for more information on how you can volunteer to help or donate toward the costs of equipment or to purchase a reflective address sign for your house: 250-833-5060.

Fishery Supported by White Lake

By Barbra Fairclough

With a focus on enhancing the fishery of White Lake, the White Lake Residents Association in partnership with the White Lake Stewardship Group and BC Government fishery officials have been focused on addressing foreign invasive fish species in the lake. Goldfish introduced many years ago are out competing the native trout species.

Two sessions of electroshocking have been conducted this summer with an effort to reduce the impact of the goldfish on the natural ecosystem of the lake. Goldfish are a competitive species and they will dominate over natural fish species, disrupting the natural ecosystem of the lake. The goal is to reduce the concentration of goldfish to the point where the natural and stocked species are more likely to be successful. Stocking of Pennask trout occurs annually and this year of the 45,000 trout stocked, 15,000 will be Blackwater trout. The Blackwater trout are naturally more competitive and have a more predatory behavior toward other fish. The introduction of Blackwater as well as Pen

nask trout is with the focus of having a more competitive trout species to mitigate or possibly eliminate the impacts of the goldfish. Fisheries officials conduct the stocking and oversee the health and wellbeing of fish to ensure that mishandling is not done. White Lake Residents Association through its Water Quality Committee is embarking on a three year multi-faceted monitoring program. It will culminate in a comparative analysis of data collected over the last ten years. It will be possible to recognize the impacts of boaters, fishers, logging, and climate change. “As we collect data, we can see what parameters are changing with regards to flora, fauna, riparian zone and water quality.” confirms Nick Najda, Chair of the WLRA Water Quality Committee. Najda says, “Workshops are being conducted by a biologist

(Continued from page 14) who is helping in terms of scientific data collection and determining metrics we want to track over time.”

Using a train-the-trainer model the biologist conducted a half day workshop on different metrics such as water temperature, secchi depth, water, and plankton health. Deep Site water testing is done at the deepest part of the lake and this is where most of the monitoring will happen. “In July and August, we have had sets of volunteers trained in water monitoring.”

Over the year monitoring is done during ‘ice off’ and we will be gathering data to be submitted to the BC Lake Stewardship Society database. Monitoring ‘ice on’ ‘ice off’ dates, as well as the speed of ice-on, ice-off cycles, helps us to better understand the effects of global warming. As freeze-thaw cycles change, so will the hibernation and resting stages of lake animals and plants.

WLRA submitted a Forest Service Road Relocation Proposal to move the forest service road upland and away from the riparian zone within White Lake Park. Forest Lands Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development officials agree that the forest service road in the White Lake Park Riparian zone is a source of sedimentation and potential contamination of the lake.

They committed preliminary funding to see if it is feasible to move the road out of the riparian zone. While they are considering this, they have put a sign up at the forest service road to limit speed 15km per hour to help protect the foreshore.

To volunteer or get involved with the WLRA, visit WLRA.ca or send an email to info@wlra.ca

250-955-0660 for Appointments • Regular Locum Doctors • Lab - Blood Collection, ECGs: Wed & Fri - 8am to 12noon • Foot Care Nurse • Public Health/Baby Wellness Clinics: Sept 29

Citizens Patrol Volunteers a Visible Presence

By Barbra Fairclough

Blind Bay Citizens Patrol confirms that it is another step closer to being fully operational, group treasurer, Carolyn French, told the Scoop. The arrival of their uniforms brings new excitement about the tasks that lay ahead.

When they are up and running, they will focus on theft from homes and cars. Pandemic conditions have affected timelines for start and details for operational requirements are being worked on. Mentorship from Salmon Arm Citizens Patrol is ongoing as well.

On Feb 21 st they formed a board, on March 3 they filed for incorporation, and on March 4, a CSRD Grant in Aid for startup funds was approved. Planned training was called off not long after that, when the pandemic arrived.

The volunteers are meeting again now, and they are looking forward to next steps.

President Syd Loeppky has been in touch with ICBC as they provide the equipment for the speed watch. “Speeding is a real concern of our group, particularly Blind Bay Road, Golf Course Drive, and occasionally Centennial,” says French.

She also says there is some interest in potentially obtaining a licence to offer a volunteer security service for community events such as the Canada Day Celebrations. That will be pursued in due course.

The Citizens Patrol volunteers are looking at what it will take to be active during winter months as well. As plans get a little further down the road, they have an idea of what that will entail. A start date for Patrols is still to be determined and is guided by information from the RCMP regarding pandemic safety requirements. For information, donations, or volunteering call Carolyn French at 403 796 7221 or email info.bbcp@shaw.ca

Citizens Patrol Volunteers are a visible presence Photo Credit: Barbra Fairclough