Hastings County Council Proclaims Paramedic Services Week, May 23-29, 2021
Categories: Paramedic Services
Posted On: May 23, 2021
Warden Phillips and Hastings County Council have declared May 23-29, 2021 as Paramedic Services Week. This year, the theme will be “Paramedic as Educator – Citizen Ready” and demonstrates the important role that paramedics play as educators to the public.
Each year Hastings County has supported the Ontario Association of Paramedic Chiefs and the Paramedic Chiefs of Canada in promoting Paramedic services week. Each of the five days has been a specific public education focus that is designed to prepare citizens for an emergency.
Hastings County is excited to celebrate Paramedic Services Week to recognize the hard work & dedication that paramedics show each and every day in an effort to help the people in our communities.
The first day of Paramedic Services Week is Sunday, May 23rd, the public education component begins Monday, May 24th and wraps up on Saturday May 29th. Each of the first five days has a specific public education focus that is designed to prepare citizens for an emergency and day six is an opportunity for the public to get to know their local paramedics and emergency medical responders through recognition initiatives.
Monday – Activation of 911
In an emergency, seconds count. When medical emergencies occur, call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number (if different). Trained emergency call takers will confirm your location, assess your situation and provide you with the assistance and information you need so that the most appropriate resources can be sent to you as soon as safely possible. During a health emergency such as the COVID-19 pandemic, when you call 9-1-1 a communication specialist (call taker) may ask you (caller) a few unique and more questions than usual. While this might seem unusual and/or unnecessary, it is critically important in ensuring the health and safety of those responding to you, like paramedics.
Tuesday – Control the Bleeding
Like many situations that can vary in severity, bleeding is no different. A simple cut may only need simple direct pressure to stopping the bleeding and a bandage to keep clean. A more severe cut or injury that damages deep blood vessels causing hemorrhage will require a quicker response and much more intervention like a tourniquet or wound packing to prevent blood loss and death. Many techniques are simple to learn and can even be applied yourself when you are alone.
Wednesday – High Performance CPR
While Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) has changed many times over the years with new research and technology, the desired outcome from CPR efforts has not. The evolution of CPR has included an increased focus not only on WHAT we are doing or HOW we are doing, but also on the WAY we are doing it to achieve the most effective result. While the mechanics of CPR have remained relatively the same, greater focus is given to ensuring these mechanics are effective and not detrimental to our efforts. The more we know about why we are doing what we are doing or teaching, the greater likelihood these treatments will be successful in improving outcomes from sudden cardiac arrest.
Thursday – Opioid Overdoses
Education, Prevention and Early Action (Citizen Ready) will be the biggest influencing factors in addressing many aspects of opioid overdoses (and any addiction). Special attention and efforts to vulnerable populations is crucial if successes are to be gained and impact to a reduction of the increases seen over the years. While this is not a crisis that any one profession or organization can address on its own, each community partner and stakeholder needs to be involved. Pairing up with a local group to find small synergies to contribute toward the goals desired is a simple yet effective start
Friday – Emergency Preparedness (the first 72 hours)
Prepare, Prepare and prepare more will be the biggest influencing factors in the success of the first 72 hours of any emergency or disaster for anyone. Education can be focused to the importance of having to “take care of ourselves and/or family” in these situations and how to PREPARE. Do Not Rely solely on someone else to help!
Saturday – Paramedic Services Recognition Day