Winnipeg, MB - EMS Week 2014 is being held across Canada from May 25 to May 31, 2014. The Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service (WFPS) is working with its partners to provide a variety of community and educational activities, to raise awareness of emergency medical providers' roles and responsibilities.
The WFPS currently has 715 emergency medical providers on staff who provide citizens with emergency medical services 24 hours per day, 365 days a year.
What: Paramedics will attend the Children’s Hospital Foundation Teddy Bears’ Picnic
Where: Assiniboine Park
When: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
An ambulance, the Major Incident Response Vehicle (MIRV), and the fire safety house will be set up for children to tour, with paramedics on hand to tend to all sick and injured teddy bears.
The WFPS’ Paramedics Active in Community Education and Response (PACER) will also be in attendance at this year’s event.
What: Official EMS Week kickoff event
Where: École Robert Browning School, 130 Browning Boulevard
When: 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
WFPS members will interact with students at École Robert Browning School as well as providing a variety of interactive, educational displays about emergency health care and emergency response. Event partner, McDonald’s Restaurants, will provide refreshments to students and event attendees.
What: Ride Along with a WFPS Paramedic Crew via Twitter
Where: Your computer or smart phone
When: 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Follow a WFPS Paramedic crew @CityofWinnipeg and #WpgEMS as they respond to real emergency calls in the community.
What: Annual Manitoba Paramedic Honour Guard Golf Tournament
Where: Bridges Golf Course
When: 10:00 p.m.
The Paramedic Honour Guard operates on a volunteer basis, lending their services to a wide variety of special events throughout the year including Service, Civic, Union, Provincial, Federal and International events that benefit from uniformed Honour representation.
Members of the WFPS are participating in the tournament to support the Honour Guard and the valuable contribution they make to EMS.
The Golf Tournament is a key portion of their fundraising initiative which they rely on to operate. Members of the public are welcome to register for the tournament at mphg.ca.
What: EMS Children's Day at the Zoo
Where: Assiniboine Park Zoo
When: 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
WFPS, the Winnipeg Police Service (WPS), the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, the Paramedic Association of Manitoba, Tim Hortons and the Heart and Stroke Foundation in partnership with the Assiniboine Park Zoo will host Clifton School at Emergency Services Children's Day which will highlight health and safety messages as well as the importance of physical activity and nutrition.
What: Heroes Are Human - Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Awareness Tour
Where: Canad Inns Garden City, 2100 McPhillips Street
When: 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
A WFPS representative will be part of the discussion panel for the Winnipeg stop of the 2014 Heroes Are Human - Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Awareness Tour.
The 2014 Tour will begin in St. John’s, Newfoundland - one of 48 towns and cities across the country. This grassroots initiative, developed by Toronto-based charity Heroes Are Human - The Tema Conter Memorial Trust, was launched in the wake of the many suicides and reports of work-related post- traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) within the ranks of Canada’s public safety, correctional and military organizations.
For more information, visit 2014heroestour.ca.
What: 6th Annual Celebration of Life Awards Ceremony
Where: Masonic Memorial Temple, 420 Corydon Avenue
When: 11:00 a.m.
Invited dignitaries, WFPS members, and civilians will be recognized for their extraordinary service and their contributions to help make Winnipeg a safe community. Dignitaries in attendance:
- The Honourable Phillip Lee, Lieutenant Governor
- The Honourable Erin Selby, Minister of Health, Province of Manitoba
What: Shoppers Drug Mart - Heart Attack and Stroke Prevention Awareness Day
Where: Shoppers Drug Mart, 43 Marion Street and Shoppers Drug Mart - Polo Park
When: 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
WFPS representatives will be at the Shoppers Drug Mart Marion Street and Polo Park locations to help educate citizens about the warning signs of heart attacks and strokes. Representatives will also provide information regarding importance of the E.R.I.K. program (Emergency Response Information Kit) which was developed in response to community concerns regarding the availability of adequate information in emergency situations.
The kit is ideal for seniors, chronically ill persons, those who live alone or who have caregivers and others who have speech difficulties or communication barriers, but all citizens are encouraged to have an E.R.I.K.
Kits are available through any Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Station, and also through the various Seniors Councils around the city.
What: EMS night out at the ball park
Where: Shaw Park
When: 7:00 p.m.
Thanks to the support of the Manitoba Government Employees Union (MGEU), United Fire Fighters of Winnipeg (UFFW), and Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Senior Officers Association (WFPSOA), EMS week will conclude with an EMS appreciation night at Shaw Park. MGEU, UFFW and WFPSOA members and their families are invited to come out to watch the baseball game.