Story adapted from original posted on the New Westminster Record by Theresa McManus, reporter.
As climate change intensifies, the link between environmental conditions and public health has never been clearer. New Westminster’s innovative Emergency Monitoring Centre (EMC) is a proactive step toward climate adaptation within the health-care system, ensuring that extreme heat events do not overwhelm emergency services or compromise patient care.
Learning from experience, preventing future crises
Developed in collaboration with Fraser Health, the EMC was established in response to the 2021 heat dome, which tragically resulted in more than 600 heat-related deaths with 28 heat-related fatalities recorded between June 25 and July 1 in New Westminster. This was the fourth highest of any community in British Columbia and the highest per capita at 39. Large-scale climate events challenge the health-care system’s ability to function efficiently, increasing demand on emergency departments and ambulance services. The EMC offers a solution by providing monitored care for lower-acuity patients, preventing unnecessary hospital overcrowding while ensuring timely medical support.
This preventive approach, rather than reactive crisis management, can significantly decrease the volume in the emergency department due to heat-related health risks and improve outcomes for at-risk clients thus reducing the wait time for other urgent situations,” says Tracey Demirbas, Clinical Operations Manager at Fraser Health.
Activated when temperatures exceed critical thresholds and emergency services reach capacity, the EMC operates from a secure, air-conditioned facility with backup power and medical supplies. First responders assess patients and transport them to the centre via ambulance, low-acuity transport, or escorted taxi. Once at the EMC, working alongside fire department personnel, health-care professionals, including nurses and care aides from Fraser Health, provide continuous monitoring, with the ability to escalate care if needed.
Collaboration is crucial
Collaboration with various stakeholders such as the New Westminster Fire Department, Fraser Health, New Westminster municipal government, Emergency Health Services was at the heart of this initiative’s success. The collaboration ensures sufficient resource allocation such as nurses, response personnel, medical supplies and emergency medical transport, meet the needs of community members during these extreme events. Coordination between all entities is essential for rapid and effective communication, and to ensure all are aligned in terms of strategies and response plans.
Each stakeholder brings their own subject matter expertise with the common goal of health protection and risk mitigation,” says Tracey. “Each year, we start preparations in early spring with proactive measures before a crisis develops and run mock exercises to ensure all stakeholders are prepared.”
Climate adaptation as a broader trend
Beyond immediate emergency response, the EMC represents a broader shift toward climate-adaptive health-care planning. Climate change poses direct risks to human health, from heat-related illnesses to respiratory conditions exacerbated by wildfires. By integrating climate resilience strategies into health-care operations, initiatives like the EMC demonstrate the essential connection between planetary and public health.
New Westminster’s approach highlights how health authorities can lead in climate adaptation—proactively designing systems that protect vulnerable populations and enhance emergency preparedness.
