'We're just stretching resources': Calgary firefighters call for action as overdose calls drastically rise

Advertisement 1 This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Breadcrumb Trail Links HomeNewsLocal News 'We're just stretching resources': Calgary firefighters call for action as overdose calls drastically rise In 2026 Calgary firefighters responded to 5,941 overdose calls between January and July, compared with 2,440 calls in the entirety of 2025 Author of the article: By Payton Delisle-Miller Published Sep 22, 2026 4 minute read Join the conversation A fire truck is present at the scene of an overdose call in northwest Calgary on Monday, Nov. 22, 2021. Azin Ghaffari/Postmedia file Article content A 143 per cent increase in overdose calls has prompted the Calgary Firefighters Association to call on the city and province to address the surge as resources and crews come under increasing strain. Article content According to data released by the association, in 2026 Calgary firefighters responded to 5,941 overdose calls between January and July, compared with 2,440 calls in the entirety of 2025. The increase was recorded every month, with the most significant jumps being in April with 303 per cent and June with 190 per cent. Article content Article content Article content In July alone, firefighters responded to 1,161 overdose calls — an average of more than 35 per day. Article content Noon News Roundup Your weekday lunchtime roundup of curated links, news highlights, analysis and features. Sign Up By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Article content “Any time you see a call type increase by 143 per cent year over year, it takes a significant amount of resources and puts a significant amount of strain on our members,” said Jamie Blayney, president of the CFA. Article content Blayney said firefighters carry naloxone and are trained to provide an immediate response, but the growing number of calls means crews are increasingly being pulled from other parts of the city. Article content “If we have a specific call that’s out on an overdose call, if another call comes in that area, we often draw resources from a neighbouring district into that area,” he said. “In medical, whether it’s a fire, whether it’s an MVC, seconds matter and we’re just stretching resources.” Article content It’s also causing a “psychological strain” on crews, Blayney said. Article content “We certainly see an impact on response time, but again,…