Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service to mark EMS Week with activities for the public

MEDIA RELEASE:

WINNIPEG May 12, 2006 - May 14-20 is Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Awareness Week in Canada. To mark this Week and to highlight the important role of Winnipeg’s EMS personnel, the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service (WFPS) has planned a number of health promotion and EMS awareness activities for the public.

“EMS is an integral part of emergency services, providing vital, lifesaving care around the clock,” said Winnipeg’s Fire & Paramedic Chief Wes Shoemaker. “National EMS Week gives us the opportunity to recognize the work of our emergency medical personnel, and underscores the importance to the public of monitoring and being aware of their own personal health.”

With something for everyone, EMS personnel will be offering free blood pressure and blood sugar testing and providing educational information on diabetes, bicycle safety, helmet use, home safety, and the Emergency Response Information Kits (ERIK). They will also be providing stickers, coloring books and tattoos for the kids. The dates, times, and locations are as follows:

• Tuesday, May 16th - St. Vital Shopping Centre (8 a.m. – 9 p.m.)
• Wednesday, May 17th - Polo Park Shopping Centre (8 a.m. – 9 p.m.)
• Thursday, May 18th - Garden City Shopping Centre (8 a.m. – 9 p.m.)
  *An ambulance will be on display at the Garden City Shopping Centre.

In addition to health promotion activities, the public can also help our paramedics by knowing what to do in the event of a medical emergency,” continued Chief Shoemaker. “We are working to protect Winnipeggers with a stronger, faster, more effective Fire Paramedic Service that is able to meet the growing demands for emergency care and assistance and, in our business, every second counts.”

What the public can do:

• Make healthy lifestyle choices to reduce personal risk of heart disease, stroke, and injury
• Recognize the early warning signs of heart disease and stroke, and of illness and injury in infants and children
• Access EMS in the early stages of a medical emergency by calling 911
• Learn CPR – know how to do cardiopulmonary resuscitation when someone has stopped breathing or their heart has stopped beating.

EMS personnel provide medical assessment, treatment, and transport services to the citizens of Winnipeg. They are on the front lines, and consist of paramedics and first responders, as well as emergency medical dispatchers, support staff and administrators.