A rural mayor is expressing serious concerns about the downloading of health care services on rural volunteers.

New-Wes-Valley Mayor Mike Tiller says more and more often, rural fire departments are being called to medical emergencies and in many cases, they are the only first responders. Tiller says that’s a serious problem that needs to be addressed before rural areas lose more volunteer firefighters.

He says firefighters are often the only first responders when RCMP and paramedics are unavailable. He says that’s a tough position to put volunteer firefighters in.