In the last three years, Medavie Health Services West has received an increase of 10,000 calls, an unprecedented number according to Troy Davies, the organizations Director of Public Affairs.

These increases are being seen across the province, so the Government of Saskatchewan has announced 58 new training bursaries to support future paramedics. Each bursary ranges from $5,000 to $10,000.

Davies says the bursaries are a win-win for everyone, not only for EMS workers but for the province itself, as everyone receiving the money must sign a return for service agreement for a minimum of two years with EMS in the province.

The Saskatchewan Health Authority and the province also announced an additional 100 training seats at Saskatchewan Polytechnic. Davies says there will now be 252 new paramedics being trained each year; workers that are needed both rurally and municipally.