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The Oakville Beaver, W ednesd ay July 17, 2002 - A 5 Every shift is different for paramedics (Continued from page 1) authorize the paramedics to insert a nee skills of medical personnel. In the last dle in the chest to assist the patient's few years, significantly more Advanced breathing," Williams said. Care Paramedics (ACP) have joined But completing medical procedures Halton EMS. The Region has also fund on the scene or in the ambulance is slight ed the training of six new ACPs and ly different than in a hospital room. plans to continue such support. "It's not a controlled environment, The advantage of having more ACPs sometimes you're doing these things in stems from their ability to administer blizzard conditions," Williams said. more medications and procedures than As for the paramedic profession itself, can Primary Care the two said that each 12Paramedics (PCP). In "Just being able to help hour shift is unlike any addition to the standard someone, if someone is other. paramedic training, ACPs "When you're in this dying or has been have also graduated from type of work, there's a 36-week training pro maimed and you get always an adrenaline rush gram. and high stress levels," them to the hospital, With more ACPs on said Williams. "Every day and then the person the road, this means that is different, every call is some patients can receive goes on from there, it's different. You never get the urgent care they need used to it -- just when you a good feeling." before arriving at the hos think you are, something · Halton Region pital. happens that catches you paramedic Wally Williams "With the skills of off guard." paramedics and the ability As for life-threatening to improve patient conditions at the calls, Williams said part of the job is to scene, a smaller number are taken to hos try to keep one's emotions from interfer pital in a life-threatening condition," said ing. Williams. "You try to keep it separate. It doesn't Carter, a recent graduate of the ACP stop us from caring, but you have a cer program, reiterated. "We might have a tain amount of detachment so you can do `lights and sirens' (high emergency) call your job," he said. to the scene, but in having an ACP, it Despite the stress that comes with the might not be `lights and sirens' on the profession, however, both said the career way back (to the hospital)," he said. is rewarding. Medical procedures administered by "Just being able to help someone, if ACPs include intubation (to assist in air someone is dying or has been maimed way management), chest tubes, chest and you get them to the hospital, and then needle decompression, I.V., various the person goes on from there, it's a good medications and resuscitative drugs and feeling," said Williams. the use of manual defibrillators. ACPs They both also noted that the public's also have additional skills and training to perception of paramedics has changed. manage a greater variety of pediatric "September 11 has given a heightened conditions. awareness to this type of thing," he said. Both Williams and Carter added that "There's an old perception that we Halton Region has provided additional were just the transport guys. But that's funding to enhance the skills of PCPs as changed," he added. well, and they are now able to start I.V.s, Finally, both Williams and Carter said for example. that since EMS became part of Halton But paramedics can also administer Region, significant strides have been advanced life support skills using stand made in reducing response times. ing orders pre-established by the Base "We've got more ambulances, more Hospital Medical Director. Occasionally, emergency vehicles and more staff," said paramedics will contact an emergency Carter. physician at Joseph Brant Memorial "We more than meet the Region's Hospital in Burlington to obtain addition (response time) requirements," Williams al orders for further care while at a scene added, lending further proof to the or on route to a hospital. notion that with paramedics like "We'll describe (to the doctor) a Williams and Carter, along with support patient's condition, for example, if it's a from the Region, Halton residents are in collapsed lung, and the doctor will very good hands. Photos by Jamie Smith · O a k ville B eaver Paramedic Wally Williams (above) prepares his truck before heading off on an emergency call. Paramedic Andy Gibson (left) finishes his paperwork following a call. Gibson and Williams (below) help a patient onto a stretcher. Fire safety drive is this Saturday Make way -- on Saturday, July 20, the Duracell Fire Safety Drive is charging into Oakville. The campaign involves local firefighters providing summer fire safety information to chil dren and their families, enhanc ing their "know-how" of how to handle emergency fire situa tions. The drive will be held at the Canadian Tire at 2501 Hyde Park Gate. Parents are encouraged to bring their children to learn more about the dangers of fire and how to adopt a fire safety and escape plan for their homes. During the Duracell Fire Safety Drive events, children and their parents will have the opportunity to meet local fire fighters, tour a fire truck, partic ipate in fire safety exercises and pick up a free fire safety guide. According to the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs, chil dren in North America are more likely than adults to die or be seriously injured in fires. Also part of the campaign will be a chance for consumers to join Duracell Canada in supporting local firefighters by purchasing new Advanced Performance Duracell CopperTop batteries. During the campaign, for every pack of new Advanced Performance Duracell CopperTop batteries sold, Duracell Canada will donate 25 cents, up to $50,000 to firefighters' training and development across Canada. Duracell's Fire Safety Drive will take place from 9 a.m. until noon. TA B R IC LA N D B U Y I, G E T A l l S e n io r C a r e Is · Spring H ousing G uide Available N o t C r e a t e d E q u a l la r c h 2002 · Insurance G uide Available Selected FABRIC: ·BIM BIRG LIN IN G W -i-D-E B R O A D C LO TH ·PO LYISTIR PR IN TS &SOLIDS4 · N O V ELTY &S TR ETC HSP O R TS W EA R · S-T-R-E-T-C-N CO TTO NP R IN TS _P O LYES TER C O TTO NP R IN TS · S O LID(PRINTED K N ITS 1Selected NOTIONS: *SP ECIA LTYS C IS S O R S · PR O M OSH O U LD ER PAD S^ I Selected HOMIDK: 'Selected CHRISTMAS: QUILTS, PANELS, FLATS, TRIMS, SPOOLS r BUY lr GET 2 FREE! ·JACQUARDS & BURNOUTS «FANCY TEXTURES ·PLAIN & PRINTED VOILES ·FANCY & CRUSHED VOILES 'MISSION VALLEY' YARN DYE. 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