The union representing almost 6,000 ambulance paramedics and dispatchers in British Columbia is sounding an alarm on staffing levels 91裸聊视频渞eaching critical91裸聊视频� in the province.

In a statement, the Ambulance Paramedics of British Columbia CUPE 873 says members are reporting 91裸聊视频渄ozens and dozens91裸聊视频� of unstaffed ambulances, with 91裸聊视频渉undreds91裸聊视频� of unfilled positions across the province.

Union president Jason Jackson says in the statement that workers have tried to engage with BC Emergency Health Services, which imposed an overtime ban on Jan. 1 to cut costs.

Jackson says the ban has resulted in cuts to staffing as well as slower response times, and as many as 25 per cent of ambulances in B.C. are 91裸聊视频渃ommonly unstaffed91裸聊视频� on a daily basis.

BC Emergency Health Services says in a statement that it continues to make 91裸聊视频渟ignificant investments91裸聊视频� in paramedic and dispatch staffing, and it has been able to add hundreds of full-time jobs since 2017.

B.C. Health Minister Josie Osborne denied there is an overtime ban in place, saying during a news conference on a separate topic on Monday that reports of a shortfall are not accurate.

The health service91裸聊视频檚 statement says it is closely monitoring staffing levels and takes action to fill shifts as quickly as possible when they are vacant, which includes moving resources or using overtime.

91裸聊视频淲e can confirm that overtime is one of the strategies that has been used throughout this week,91裸聊视频� the statement says.

Jackson says those people who have non-critical cases may be waiting for an ambulance 91裸聊视频渇or a long time91裸聊视频� given the current staffing conditions.

B.C. Conservative rural health care critic Brennan Day says in a statement that the staffing shortage is a 91裸聊视频減ublic safety crisis91裸聊视频� and he91裸聊视频檚 calling for the NDP government to do more to support paramedics and rural communities that depend on them.