A revamped ambulance that will help homeless or intoxicated people find shelter hit the streets of Saskatoon for the first time Tuesday.
The Lighthouse Supported Living launched its mobile outreach vehicle Tuesday afternoon. The retrofitted ambulance will transport people in need of shelter from the streets to the Lighthouse, where they can spend the night.
“The purpose is to reach people who are some of the most difficult to reach,” said Lighthouse communications director DeeAnn Mercier. “We’re just hoping to be able to house anybody who needs a place to stay.”
The revamped emergency vehicle will carry food, warm drinks and clothing. Two support workers will drive the streets throughout the evening while also answering calls from Lighthouse staff, community support workers and police officers.
Vince Bulteel, the Lighthouse’s outreach supervisor, said he hopes the vehicle exposes more people in need of shelter to the Lighthouse’s services, including case workers, men’s and women’s shelters, supported and independent living, and housing referrals.
He said the vehicle is also about alleviating pressure felt by police when dealing with homeless or intoxicated people who are not necessarily a threat to the public.
“We’ll be able to assist the police so they can attend to more important matters,” he said.
The retrofitted ambulance is still equipped with flashing lights, but Mercier emphasized they will only be used as “blinkers” when the vehicle is pulled over. The lights flash yellow and white, not the red and blue of emergency vehicles.
The vehicle will not provide medical services, she said. Support workers will call police or paramedics in the event of an emergency.
