Muskoka paramedics use remote response vehicle to help stranded motorists during storm

Viewer Video: Gravenhurst residents buried in snow Gravenhurst residents are buried in snow. (Video Courtesy: Sandra Hoffman)

As Muskoka was hammered with significant snowfall over the weekend, making it difficult for typical emergency services to navigate the roads, local paramedics utilized their new $90,000 remote response vehicle (RRV) to attend emergency calls, especially with dozens of motorists stranded.

The Muskoka Paramedic Services deployed the RRV to Gravenhurst to help relocate individuals trapped on the highway until other resources could arrive.

Emergency crews and motorists confirmed to CTV News that hundreds of vehicles were stranded without food or water, some for nearly 30 hours.

The RRV allows paramedics to overcome massive snow drifts and intense weather conditions, particularly in remote areas.

Muskoka Paramedic Services Deputy Chief Stuart McKinnon said the unit was used for multiple calls for help over the weekend, outside of its usual paramedic response.

“While all of our ambulances have winter tires and are quite capable, with this level of snowfall there will be areas that cannot be accessed by ambulance,” McKinnon explained.

“The RRV is outfitted with much of the same equipment and medications as an ambulance, so it truly extends our reach to places we’ve never been able to quickly get to before,” the deputy chief continued.

McKinnon said this weekend marked the first time since it became active nearly a year ago that the RRV helped the service during a severe weather event.

According to Environment Canada, Gravenhurst received 140 centimetres of snowfall from the weather system that moved through the area over the weekend.