A little-known fact about Prince Edward Island’s ambulance services reveals that in the past, funeral homes played a significant role in providing urgent medical assistance. This historical tidbit is the focus of a new book titled “Answering the Call: The People and Stories of P.E.I. Ambulance Services,” co-authored by former P.E.I. paramedic Sandy MacQuarrie and Islander Sylvia Poirier.
The book delves into a century of changes in the Island’s ambulance services, beginning around 1905 when the first ambulance is believed to have operated in Charlottetown. MacQuarrie and Poirier conducted interviews, transcribed stories, and researched old reports to compile the history. They discovered that funeral homes initially offered basic services, using vehicles like hearses and horse-drawn carriages for transportation.
As the years passed, funeral homes transitioned into offering more formal ambulance services, with some even advertising their offerings by the 1930s. The book highlights the evolution of ambulance transport on the island, emphasizing the compassion and empathy shown by early ambulance staff.
In the 1950s and ’60s, funeral homes dominated the ambulance business, with some competing fiercely while also collaborating to set professional standards within the industry. Calls for better training, including first-aid training for all attendants, gained momentum over the years, leading to a gradual professionalization of ambulance services.
By the 1970s, a new model emerged with ambulance-only operations taking over from funeral homes. Neil’s Ambulance in Charlottetown and other independent providers reshaped the landscape, leading to a more modern and well-trained ambulance workforce. Eventually, in 2006, Medavie EMS took over as the sole ambulance provider in P.E.I., marking a significant milestone in the province’s emergency medical services.
The book serves as a tribute to Sylvia Poirier, a key figure in paramedicine education on the island, who played a pivotal role in developing the paramedicine program at Holland College. Despite facing health challenges, Poirier’s dedication to completing the book underscores her commitment to preserving the rich history of ambulance services in Prince Edward Island.