NAPE members are demanding action on what they’re calling a “critical” shortage of on-duty ambulances and paramedic staff.

Over the lunch hour, members rallied at the corner of Clinch Crescent and Prince Philip Drive in St. John’s.

Dozens of paramedics showed up, holding signs with sayings like “no more red alerts,” “understaffed under-appreciated,” and “sick and tired of being sick and tired.”

NAPE President Jerry Earl explains that according to a briefing note given to the Department of Health and Community Services last fall, there have been 2,022 of red alerts placed on ambulance services in the last year.

As well, he says there is documentation to prove that ambulance workers have been raising these concerns for seven years.

Earl was blunt in describing what they want to see happen. They don’t want any more studies or platitudes, they want to see recommendations made to the minister last fall acted upon.

NAPE president @jerry4nape tells me Paramedics have been raising these issues for 7 years. In terms of what he says needs to happen to address this, he says they don't want studies or platitudes, they want what was recommended to the Minister last year to be acted on @VOCMNEWS pic.twitter.com/p8Svc6caiP

— Richard Duggan (@RDugganVOCM) January 29, 2021