Winnipeg, MB – At a graduation ceremony this morning, Mayor Bowman was joined by Manitoba Health, Seniors and Active Living Minister Kelvin Goertzen and Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service Chief, John Lane to celebrate the success of the City’s eleven new advanced care paramedics (ACP).
The graduates completed a challenging three-year program, offered by the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service (WFPS) consisting of classroom, hospital and field training to achieve the highest level of paramedic training available in Manitoba.
"Right across the province, advanced care paramedics make a real difference in the lives of the many Manitobans who need emergency care every year," said Manitoba Health, Seniors and Active Living Minister Kelvin Goertzen. "Your service is greatly appreciated, and I wish you all the best as you continue your careers in emergency medicine."
“Congratulations to all the advanced care paramedics graduating this year,” said Mayor Brian Bowman. “This is a key milestone in your careers that you should all be very proud of. We are very grateful for the commitment and dedication each of you have made to helping others when they need it most, and we are grateful to have all of you providing front line emergency care across our city.”
“The complexity of emergency medical care continues to increase with the addition of technology and research,” said Chief John Lane, WFPS. “Our newly graduated advanced care paramedics have embraced these advancements because they are dedicated to delivering incredible patient care in any emergency scenario. I congratulate the graduates for this accomplishment and tenacity in successfully completing ACP training.”
Graduates Make Donation to Mental Health Facility
As part of their commitment to health care and in recognition of first responders that have experienced mental health challenges as a result of their occupations, the ACP Class of 2017 joined together and purchased artwork from Artbeat Studio Inc. The artwork will be donated to the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority to be displayed in the in-patient and common areas of the PsycHealth Centre located at Health Sciences Centre Winnipeg.
“We believe that art can help create a healing environment, which is vital for supporting care and recovery,” said Dr. Jitender Sareen, Medical Director, Mental Health program, WRHA. “On behalf of patients and staff at HSC, we are grateful to our newest partners in care, today’s ACP graduates, for this thoughtful and compassionate gift.”
Artbeat Studio Inc. is a unique community based, peer directed program that provides social supports, working art studio and gallery space, and mentorship for individuals living with mental illness for the purpose of recovery and empowerment.
About the Advanced Care Paramedic program
ACP candidates undergo an intensive selection process, which includes two years of experience as a primary care paramedic, a written exam, and an interview. Prior to working as an ACP, graduates of the program are required to challenge the National Registry Exam. Program participants complete ACP courses while continuing to serve as paramedics.
Including these latest graduates of the competitive ACP program, the WFPS has 138 advanced care paramedics.
ACP graduates gain a number of specialized skills throughout the program, including a broader understanding and appreciation of disease and trauma, advanced airway management, chest decompression, symptomatic cardiac dysrhythmia management, and a greater pharmaceutical responsibility.
With the long-term goal of having at least one ACP in every ambulance at all times, the ACP program is one of many ways that the WFPS commits to a high standard of patient care.