Winnipeg, MB - At a graduation ceremony this morning, the City of Winnipeg and partners celebrated the success of the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service’s 13 new Advanced Care Paramedics (ACP).
The graduates completed a challenging three-year program, offered by the WFPS consisting of classroom learning, as well as hospital and field training to achieve the highest level of paramedic education available in Manitoba.
“On behalf of all Winnipeg residents, I congratulate our newest Advanced Care Paramedics graduating this year,” said Mayor Brian Bowman. “You have achieved a key milestone in your careers that you should all be very proud of. We thank you for being there for Winnipeggers, providing top-notch medical care, but also offering compassion and support when they need it the most. Your commitment and dedication is appreciated.”
“Advanced Care Paramedics make a profound difference in the lives of many Winnipeggers who require emergency care,” said WFPS Chief John Lane. “The complexity of emergency medical care continues to evolve with the addition of new technology and research. On every shift, our Advanced Care Paramedics embrace these advancements because they are dedicated to delivering outstanding patient care in any emergency scenario. I congratulate the graduates for this accomplishment and tenacity in successfully completing the ACP program.”
As part of their commitment to the community, the ACP class members came together to make a donation to The Dream Factory, a Manitoba-based charity dedicated to fulfilling dreams for kids who are battling life-threatening illnesses. Howard Koks, Executive Director, and Andrew Kussy, Development Manager, attended the event to receive the donation.
About the ACP program
Eligible candidates participate in a selection process for entry into the ACP program. Requirements for eligibility include a minimum of two years of emergency response experience as a Primary Care Paramedic.
Students selected into the ACP program commit themselves to three years of intensive study while continuing to work as WFPS Paramedics. The ACP program provides education for these students to broaden their understanding of disease and traumatic injury, and the management thereof using specialized skills and additional responsibilities. To practice as an ACP, graduates of the program must obtain licensure through challenging a national registry exam. WFPS is committed to a high standard of patient care. These graduates will bring the complement of front line ACPs to 105.
The WFPS ACP program is nationally accredited by Accreditation Canada. Accreditation Canada works with organizations to improve the quality of health and social services offered to the public, as well as quality of education in paramedicine and other allied health programs. Accreditation is an ongoing process of assessing organizations against standards of excellence in order to determine improvements and efficiencies which can be made.