Idled first response teams are again good to go

Medical first response teams that were idled in recent days in Prince and Aweres Townships, Searchmont, Goulais River and Batchawana were cleared for action again as of Tuesday night, Goulais Fire and Rescue Chief Bob Menard tells SooToday.com.

Similarly, the Garden River Fire Department is expected to be good to go by noon on Wednesday, Menard said.

As SooToday.com reported last Thursday, the District of Sault Ste. Marie Social Services Administration Board (DSSMSSAB) suspended dispatching of the six first response units last week until all emergency personnel were screened for SARS.

The precaution, taking on the advice of the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long term Care, was sharply criticized by some emergency responders, who were concerned that medical problems are far north as the Montreal River had to wait for ambulances from Sault Ste. Marie.