WINNIPEG - May 20, 2008 – The Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service marked the launch of national Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Week this morning with an event showcasing paramedic skills, training, and equipment. Among the highlights were demonstrations of intubation and chest decompression procedures, a trauma scenario, and equipment such as defibrillators.

“EMS is an integral part of emergency services,” said Fire & Paramedic Chief Jim Brennan. “We are very proud of the unique way we deliver service to the citizens of Winnipeg; from the basic life support first response by firefighter paramedics, to the highly trained and experienced Advanced Care Paramedics whose skills enable provision of vital, lifesaving care. In addition to this coordinated, cooperative approach, we’re using cutting-edge technology and personnel to deploy the right resource to the right patient at the right time.”

In addition to today’s showcase, Winnipeg EMS personnel will have paramedic information displays for the public – with an ambulance to explore – as follows:

Tuesday, May 20 St. Vital Centre 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Wednesday, May 21 St. Vital Centre 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Thursday, May 22 Garden City Shopping Centre 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Consisting of paramedics and first responders – as well as emergency medical dispatchers, supervisors, support staff and administrators – EMS personnel provide medical assessment, treatment, and transport services to the citizens of Winnipeg.

WINNIPEG - May 20, 2008 – The public is advised that starting tonight, the City of Winnipeg’s Public Works Department will undertake a pavement preservation pilot project using a method known as diamond grinding.

This project will commence tonight at 7 p.m. on Kenaston Boulevard between McGillivray Boulevard and Sterling Lyon Parkway. Work is scheduled between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. nightly in order to minimize the disruption to traffic. Lane closures will be limited to a single lane in either direction to maintain traffic flow. All traffic lanes will be open each day to accommodate morning rush hour traffic.

It is expected the work on Kenaston Boulevard will take approximately 10 days to complete. Work will then begin on Brookside Boulevard from Inkster Boulevard North to City limits.

Upon successful completion of this pilot project, it is anticipated that this technique will be used more frequently in the future as a cost effective treatment to preserve pavement. The cost for the pilot project is approximately $500,000.

Diamond grinding is a concrete pavement restoration technique that improves the overall condition of the roadway and restores rideability. This method offers many additional advantages including: a quick and effective maintenance treatment; less cost than asphalt overlay; improvements to traction and safety for motorists; and minimal disruption to traffic. Diamond grinding involves removing a thin layer of the concrete pavement surface using closely spaced diamond saw blades. The blades cut tiny grooves and smooth down irregularities in the pavement surface.

The public is reminded to use caution when in the vicinity of crews and equipment working on road construction sites throughout the City.

Additional lane closure information is available on the City of Winnipeg website at winnipeg.ca/publicworks.