Calgary firefighters respond to more than 35 overdose calls per day as crisis strains resources
From January to July 2026, Calgary Fire Department answered 5,941 overdose calls — a 143 per cent increase from the same period last year.
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Calgary Fire Department responded to 5,941 overdose calls between January and July 2026 — a 143 per cent jump from 2,440 calls in the same period last year. In July alone, firefighters answered more than 35 overdose calls per day, many involving the use of Naloxone to reverse overdoses and save lives.
The spike is concentrated in Wards 7 and 8.
"These calls take up an immense amount of resources, staff time and mental capacity as our crews frantically try to reverse an overdose and save a life," said Jamie Blayney, Calgary Firefighters Association president, speaking to media outside Central Calgary Public Library on Tuesday. "It is certainly putting a strain on resources, but we're also asking, hopefully, for all levels of government to get involved in this problem and provide some relief for our members who are just attending an unsustainable amount of calls."
Blayney cited the city's growth and the worsening drug supply as drivers of the call spike. During his media scrum, peace officers were handling a drug situation on a nearby bench — a scene underscoring the public-space challenges downtown.
Central Calgary Public Library has responded by ramping up security. Since 2019, security costs there have risen roughly 90 per cent. The library typically deploys 11 guards throughout the day and adds 2 seasonal guards during warmer months. Recently, it added 3 more guards due to increased concerns about behaviours around the building's exterior, supported by a Civic Partner Community Safety Grant from the City of Calgary.
"Along with additional security presence, this grant has allowed us to take a multi-pronged approach to activating our exterior and create a safer space," said Barb Gillard, executive director of visitor experience at the library.
Ward 7 Councillor Myke Atkinson called the situation dire. "This is hugely problematic, extremely expensive. We're applying a ton of emergency response to dealing with this, and we're getting terrible outcomes. We're having people die because the drug supply is just getting worse and worse and worse."
What additional resources or funding are being requested to handle the surge?
Which interventions has the city or province committed to, and when do they begin?
How are overdose call patterns in Wards 7 and 8 different from other parts of the city?
We'll update this story as answers emerge.
The facts
How many overdose calls per day did Calgary firefighters respond to in July 2026?
In July 2026, Calgary firefighters answered more than 35 overdose calls per day, many requiring Naloxone to reverse overdoses.
Where is the overdose call spike concentrated in Calgary?
The spike in overdose calls is concentrated in Wards 7 and 8.
How much have security costs risen at Central Calgary Public Library since 2019?
Security costs at Central Calgary Public Library have risen roughly 90 per cent since 2019, with the library now deploying 11 guards throughout the day plus 2 seasonal guards during warmer months and 3 additional guards due to increased exterior concerns.
