Communities across British Columbia are reeling from a sudden spike in overdose cases and, in some other cases, breaking records.

According to the Vancouver Fire Department, it responded to 54 overdose calls in the city last Friday. Just a few months ago, the service said it was responding to 16 overdoses a day.

Vancouver fire said due to the exposure to “extreme levels of human suffering”, firefighters are limited to 81 shifts at Firehall 2 to try and limit compassion fatigue.

Firehall 2 is located close to the Downtown Eastside.

“This is really felt in the DTES, and the neighbouring fire halls all coming in to assist for that urgent need for a number of extremely urgent requests for immediate life-threatening help,” Matthew Trudeau, spokesperson for Vancouver Fire and Rescue Servic

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