Is Your Urgency An Emergency? Peterborough Paramedics Remind Public That Arriving In Ambulance Will Not Speed Up Emerge Wait Time

Peterborough County City Paramedics is reminding the public of the importance of assessing their own needs before calling 911.

File Photo.

“It’s important for people to consider all of the different avenues if it isn’t a dire emergency,” said Craig Jones, Commander with Peterborough County City Paramedics.

Jones notes that, if the situation at hand is not dire, people should consider calling their physician if they have one, phoning Telehealth 1-866-797-0000, or visiting a pharmacy for recommended treatment.

“Given the staffing crisis in the healthcare world, PRHC staff is constantly juggling how to best respond to emerge patients.”

On Tuesday, Peterborough Scanner Feed reported that a man entered the Emergency Room at PRHC, thought the triage line was too long, so stepped outside and called an ambulance.

“There is no express lane to emerge,” said Jones. “People often feel that if they call 911, and arrive on a stretcher they will be treated quicker, that’s just not true.”

Jones explained that when an ambulance arrives at PRHC with a patient, a triage nurse assesses the situation, speaks with the patient and the paramedic and they are treated based on the severity of their condition.

Patients arriving by ambulance may still have to wait hours to be seen, which means the paramedics that brought them have to wait with them. This means there are less paramedics available to respond to emergencies.

“It’s important for us to do some self reflection before we call 911,” said Jones. “Of course, when we’re struggling it feels like our personal emergency, but think ‘do I have a friend that might be able to get me there?’”

Jones emphasized that each situation is different and phoning 911 in the event of an emergency is important, but if other options are feasible they should be utilized.

On any given night shift Peterborough Paramedics have 7 units on the roads, and 10 units during the day shift. Each unit is staffed by two paramedics.

Jones notes they just hired a group of new paramedics that are now in the field, and they are ready to hire more.

Recently, Peterborough Paramedics enhanced their Community Paramedic Program.

Community Paramedics do not respond to 911 calls. Clients are referred to the program through various agencies in the city. Clients usually consist of people that live at home but may need extra support.

By organizing regular home visits or providing clients with monitoring systems that automatically alert Peterborough Paramedics of their state, 911 calls are drastically cut.

Currently, there are 11 members of the Community Paramedic Program. They do not utilize ambulances.

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Peterborough Recognizes First Ever International Paramedics Day

Friday marks the first ever International Paramedics Day, meant to recognize and celebrate the work carried out by paramedics around the world.

In 2018, Peterborough Paramedics became the first EMS Service in North America to pilot an integrated driving experience. File Photo.

July 8 marks the birthday of Dominique-Jean Larrey, a French surgeon and military doctor who is credited with introducing field hospitals, ambulance services, and first-aid practices to the battlefield. He is often referred to as the 'father of modern-day ambulance services'.

This day comes after Peterborough Paramedic Services experienced their busiest year in 2021.

According to a report released in March of this year, 2021 saw 19,305 emergency/urgent calls, up 13.24 per cent from 2020.

Peterborough Paramedics responded to a total of 38,439 calls in 2021, compared to 34,112 calls in 2020.

In celebration of the day, Peterborough County will be featuring some of Peterborough’s paramedics on their Facebook page.

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Little Britain Man Returns To The Frontlines Of Ukraine

Zach England, from Little Britain, volunteered for the International Legion of Ukraine in March. He returned to Canada on April 12, then went back to Ukraine on May 4, to re-join the ILU as a Combat Medic.

England says currently his main job is extracting wounded civilians and military personel from the front lines so they can be better helped.

Previously, England has worked as a fire fighter. The medical training he received during that time is what qualifies him to now act as a combat medic.

In a post to his social media, England has shared a way for friends and family to send money that he has been using to purchase much needed supplies.

During his last trip to Ukraine, he posted a photo of what he purchased while there.

“ifaks are carried by the soldiers at the front when wounded ,these will save lives'“ Englad wrote. Photo courtesy of Zach England.

England says any donations he receives will be used to buy things like tourniquets, chest packs and individual first aid kits (Ifaks).

If interested, eTransfers can be sent to englandzach32@gmail.com.

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Norwood Boy Gets A Birthday Surprise From Local Fire Department

Jayden, a 4-year-old from Norwood, who lives with a rare genetic disorder called Coffin-Siris Syndrome, got a special birthday surprise from the Asphodel Norwood Fire Department (ANFR) on Thursday.

Photo courtesy of Ashley Fraser.

Ashley Fraser, Jayden’s Mom, says that while he is non-verbal he has always shown an interest in big trucks and lights so she thought he may like firetrucks.

“We noticed when we went to the Santa Clause parade in Norwood and he was just amazed when he saw the firetruck,” she said. “He sits in our window and he loves to watch cars go by and big trucks, that’s his thing - he’s not interested in toys.”

Because of his interest, Jayden’s mom reached out to the local fire department in hopes that they would drive by in their truck on Jayden’s birthday.

ANFR Fire Chief Daryl Payne and firefighter James Jordan arrived with a firetruck in tow to Jayden’s house to celebrate.

“James got right down to his eye level, Jayden was just so comfortable with him, it was just amazing that he was so drawn to him and was able to have that connection.”

Fraser says that the department blew her away with their kindness and how they treated her son.

@ptbo_canada Happy Birthday Jayden! Someone’s day was made and we don’t know if it was Jaydens our ours ❤️ #PTBOCanada #firefighters #firedepartment ♬ today was a good day - ✗

Living with coffin-siris syndrome, Jayden is non-verbal. His mom says his squeals of delight showed her just how happy he was when he saw the fire truck pull up to their home.

“He doesn’t get excited like the average little kid gets excited on birthdays or Christmas, it just doesn’t do it for him like a regular little kid, so it was so awesome to see him enjoy this.”

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Otonabee South Monaghan Fire Chief Retires After 47 Year Career

Otonabee South Monaghan (OSM) Fire Chief Ted Bryan will officially retire at the end of January, after a 47 year career with the fire department.

Fire Chief Ted Bryan and Fire Prevention Officer Cara Wood. Bryan says FPO Wood made his job a lot easier. Photo courtesy of OSM.

Looking back on his career Bryan says it’s hard to sum up 47 years of experience.

Bryan joined the volunteer fire department in 1975 when he graduated high school. He became chief in 1986, which became his full-time career in 1997 when the Otonabee department amalgamated with South Monaghan.

“When I started I was the chief of the station in Keene and I had maybe 18 firefighters,” he said. “Today we have four fire stations and 82 members.”

Bryan notes that over the course of his almost 50 year career the training available to firefighters has changed immensely.

“The evolution in the fire services - it went from being handed a hat, a pitch coat and a pair of long rubber boots, being told ‘here you’re going to fight fires for us when the siren goes off’ to volunteer firefighters in todays world being certified, full fledged firefighters.”

When a recruit joins the volunteer fire department they attend training at The Eastern Ontario Emergency Training Academy (EOETA) in Norwood. There they receive the same certifications needed to pursue a full time firefighting career.

“It’s so exciting to watch new recruits come on and grow with the department, then one day tell you they’ve gotten a full time fire job elsewhere. It’s heart warming to see that, a very satisfying part of the job.”

In his retirement Bryan says he will continue to teach at the EOETA, The Ontario Fire College and at Fleming College in their Pre-Service Firefighting program.

“I’m looking forward to being able to decompress and maybe sit at the end of my dock for a little bit.”

Bryan says he will miss the people he works with the most.

“To say you don’t have any issues with 82 people wouldn’t be telling the truth, but certainly we’re a good group and we see each others differences,” he says. “They’re wonderful to work with, as well as the council and management here in the township.”

Chuck Parsons will be taking over as Fire Chief of OSM, effective Feb. 1.

“I am excited to be joining the Township of Otonabee South-Monaghan team and working with Council, Volunteer Fire Fighters, Staff and the Community including Hiawatha First Nation in this role,” said Parsons. “The Municipality of Otonabee South-Monaghan is vibrant and receptive and I welcome the opportunity to live and work in the area and continue the excellent leadership provided to the Municipal Fire and Emergency Services for the benefit of the township’s citizens and businesses”

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Peterborough Police Welcome Two New Constables

Constable Kristopher DiClemente and Constable Jeff VanBelleghem have been welcomed to Peterborough Police Services announced on Tuesday.

Constable Jeff VanBelleghem, Chief Scott Gilbert, Constable Kristopher DiClemente.

The pair recently completed basic training at Ontario Police College and have been officially sworn in, receiving their badges.

“Congratulation to our two new recruits, the Peterborough Police Service welcomes you and recognizes your commitment to serve and protect our communities,” said Scott Gilbert, Chief of Police.

These new officers were both special constables with the Peterborough Police Service.

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Chief of Peterborough County and Kawartha Lakes paramedics Renews Contract

Randy Mellow, Chief of Paramedics Peterborough County and Kawartha Lakes, will continue his role in both positions for an additional two years, announced on Tuesday.

Photo courtesy of Peterboroguh County.

It has been a year since Chief Mellow stepped into the dual leadership role for both Services.

“I am very pleased with the decision to continue the shared services agreement that will see continued partnership and collaboration between the Kawartha Lakes and Peterborough Paramedic Services,” said Chief Mellow. “At this time of unprecedented growth and evolution of paramedicine, the visionary leadership of our municipalities as demonstrated in this agreement is key to responding to the needs of our communities in an efficient and proactive way. I am excited to continue to play a role in that vision.”

This Agreement was an early example of the Provincial mandate to find efficiencies and modernization to assist in evolving paramedicine in Ontario. It has been an effective pilot of a collaboration between the two Paramedic Services.

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$20,000 Raised From Ruck and Dive Event To Support Work-Related PTSD

After a month-long Ruck and Dive event, the fundraiser will give $20,000 towards Wounded Warriors Canada for two service dogs for anyone experiencing PTSD from work-related trauma this Saturday.

Members of the event skydived from 14,000 feet in the air. Photo Courtesy of Shawn Brennan.

The cheque presentation will occur in a ceremony at Peterborough Cenotaph in front of City Hall with first responders, armed forces and other dignitaries present for the event.

The money was raised through the “30-Day Ruck and Dive Challenge for PTSD 2021” from July 16 to Aug. 14. Participants wore a rucksack weighing 50-pounds and hiking 33 kilometres from Base Borden to the Skydive Centre. They ended the event with a skydive from 14,000 feet.

Ruck and Dive event organizer Shawn Brennan (right) and several others walked 33 kilometres from Base Borden in Angus, Ont. Photo Courtesy of Shawn Brennan.

Shawn Brennan, event organizer saw the impacts of work-induced trauma through his father who served with Peterborough Fire for 32 years. He has also seen friends with similar work conditions suffer from PTSD. He said that they are still human and need help for their hardships like anyone else.

“They are mothers, brothers, fathers and sisters,” he said. “Our mission is to beat the drum and be the mosquito in the tent. At the end of the day, and letting them know there is a voice and additional support.”

Photo Courtesy of Shawn Brennan.

Brennan says that the mental health of workers like firefighters, police officers and armed forces often go back to work as broken men and women without being able to relax and decompress.

“We get exposed to very toxic environments,” he explained. “We are far from decompressing, how many victims have been on Ontario Disability, how much you are compartmentalizing until it starts leaking real bad.”

Brennan pictured with his wife as part of the Wounded Warriors Project. Photo Courtesy of Shawn Brennan.

Roughly $4,000 of raffle items were purchased as giveaways for donors and participants purchased by Brennan. Prizes such as electronics, gift certificates and prepaid credit cards were up for grabs to provide additional incentives for people to participate.

“When individuals are willing to put themselves in that environment to the benefit to us, or it’s dealing with responder issues,” said Brennan. “For people that put their selves on the line, I think we should give back.”

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