Calgary fire department on track for 170% increase in overdose calls

New data from the City of Calgary shows the Calgary Fire Department is on track to respond to more than 170 per cent more overdose calls this year compared with last year.

Fire Chief Steve Dongworth says the rise in overdose calls is part of a broader increase in medical emergencies, with the department on pace to respond to a record number of calls in 2026.

“I think we're on pace to be very close to 100,000 calls this year,” Dongworth said.

Medical calls now account for roughly half of all Calgary Fire Department responses, highlighting the changing role of firefighters and the growing demand on emergency services.

Dongworth says the increase is also creating challenges for the department, particularly when it comes to ensuring emergency units are available and positioned to respond quickly.

He said the growing number of medical and overdose calls can affect service performance and the reliability of units when they are needed for other emergencies.

To address the pressure, the department has been examining which types of calls require a fire department response and identifying opportunities to better allocate emergency resources.