2012 Year in Review

2012 Year in Review Professional Paramedic Association of Ottawa Cover Photography: Ben Ripley Publication Design: Laura Pol | President’s message | 5th Annual Year in Review President’s Message

Dear Readers, lation at large, always sings the same No matter where we choose to go, we song; Ottawa Paramedics are engag- will always be guided by the genuine The Professional Paramedic Asso- ing, caring, charismatic, inspirational and diverse individuals who make up ciation of Ottawa was started shortly and unexpectedly very happy people. the Professional Paramedic Associa- after the 2001 provincial download tion of Ottawa. Countless paramed- in an effort to create a consolidated That last part – our high spirits – al- ics, Tech Services staff, Communica- voice for paramedics. For those who ways catches people off-guard given tions Officers, Corporate members were around back then, you will likely the nature of our work. and paramedic students have worked remember that change was happen- The fact of the matter is paramedics together to build a fantastic vehicle ing quickly. As such, Ottawa Para- have never had an easy ride. Not as a that will continue to be the envy of medics were forced to set sail as we response agency and not as a health our peers across Canada for many were still building our boat. care profession. However, from what years to come. Since then, we have grown to create I have seen, our members have cour- I am optimistic and excited as this the largest and most technologically age, compassion and most impor- great journey is really just getting advanced local chapter in Canada, tant... momentum. It is these key started. comprised 100% of volunteers who ingredients that have given us power donate time and funds every year. in the past and will help us to realize With respect, This philosophy alone, is shared by our potential as we move forward. Darryl Wilton more than 16000 paramedics across Advanced Care Paramedic Your energy has been the catalyst to President | [email protected] Canada and is something very unique considerable growth over the last de- that we all need to be enormously cade and we are currently on the cusp proud of. of an enormous evolutionary trans- I am one of the lucky people who formation. regularly experiences the greatness Over the next few years, we are go- of Ottawa Paramedics both on duty ing to learn more about our fate as and off. decided by the Health Professions The volunteering, educating and Regulatory Advisory Council. Para- community leadership, often through medics across Ontario will find out if a combination of safety and sport is we have earned our scope of practice, incredible. The pages within this Year which will stipulate whether or not in Review attest to the unwavering paramedics can legally own “para- dedication of our members. The feed- medicine”. As we pursue this fate, back I receive from politicians, com- Ottawa Paramedics will definitely be munity leaders, media and the popu- at the helm of the ship.

OttawaParamedics.ca | Year in Review 2012 | 1 | new faces | | executive | New Faces 2013 PPAO executive Danielle Hopkins, Director of Print Media It was a great pleasure and surprise when I was asked to be the new writer for the Profes- sional Paramedic Association of Ottawa and it was a quick and easy response, “of course”! I am pleased to be in this role and pleased to be a part of such a unique leading Associa- tion. My role is to bring to you the news and media of Ottawa Paramedics and I take great pride in that. I look forward to fulfilling these duties for a long time to come. I sincerely hope you enjoy our contribution to the Canadian Paramedi- cine magazine. Hopkins. New director of print media for the PPAO. Danielle Hopkins Primary Care Paramedic OFFICERS: DIRECTORS: Director of Print Media | [email protected] Darryl Wilton, President John Blythe, HELP Fund Director Laura Pol, Graphic Designer [email protected] [email protected] Over the past couple of years, I have had the Michael Tomaino, Vice-President Ben Ripley, Director of Special Events privilege of working with the PPAO to pro- [email protected] [email protected] duce an updated logo. It has been a wonderful Rob Mallett, Secretary/Treasurer Chris Cregan, Director of Corporate Development challenge and I’m so thankful I got to be a [email protected] [email protected] part of it! Working on the logo has lead to many other design projects including HELP HONOURARY OFFICERS: Rob Wilson, Director of Public Information Fund related work, and even designing this [email protected] Year in Review which has been so exciting. Steve Hallam, Honourary Officer - Past President (Ottawa-Carleton Paramedic Association) Danielle Hopkins, Director of Print Media More importantly, I have gotten a chance to [email protected] [email protected] know several fantastic paramedics (besides my own husband, Aaron!) and get a better Paul Morneau, Honourary Officer - Past President Lynea Finn, Director of Archives understanding and appreciation for what you (Paramedic Association of Canada) [email protected] do. Thank you for letting me be a part of this! [email protected] Laura Pol John MacNeill, Director of Legislative Development POl. Guest graphic designer tasked with new logos. laurapol.com [email protected]

We would like to welcome you to the work of the Ottawa Paramedics. The tawa. The ECG line divides the two PPAO’s new logo! What comes to ECG shows a healthy pattern which with negative space. This shows con- mind when you think of “Logo” and is a positive image for the associa- tinuity and consistency because that “Crest” and what are the differences tion. Also immediately recognizable line has no visual stopping point. between the two? are the Ottawa-specific parliament The colours used are navy which buildings. This illustrates Ottawa in What is a logo? shows steadfastness and trustworthi- particular, but also adds a high level ness and also reflects the uniforms of A logo is a graphic mark or emblem of professionalism. The changing the Ottawa paramedics, and orange commonly used by commercial en- width of the ECG line represents the terprises, organizations and even in- which shows friendliness and reli- ability. dividuals to aid and promote instant “The ECG shows a public recognition. Logos are either healthy pattern which is The HELP Fund is very closely con- purely graphic or are comprised of a positive image for the nected to the PPAO, so the logos the name of the organization. are tied together as well. The main association.” What is a crest? PPAO logo can be easily connected and tied in to many different ele- A crest is a component of an heraldic old machines that fade off the screen ments using the prominent ECG display, so called because it stands on as well as demonstrating the small line. It was intentionally set up that top of a helmet. The earliest heraldic beginning of the association which is way. As you can see, it fits perfectly crests included objects such as lions, slowly evolving into a much broader with the HELP Fund. The HELP human figures, hands or arms hold- and more complex future. The line Fund includes a heart as it did before, ing weapons or bird’s wings. also runs through the heart of the but this heart is hand-drawn. That What our Graphic Designer says city, illustrating the idea that para- style gives a sense of compassion and about the new logos and what they medics are an essential part of the care on a very personal, individual mean to the essence of the PPAO: city. Another element of the logo is level. The text remains professional the divided colour scheme. The top to give credibility to the organization. The concept behind the main logo colour is brighter which gives idea uses the symbolism of the ECG to of both day and sky, and the bottom speak not only to the heart of the is navy which gives the idea of both PPAO, but also to the continual night shifts and the cityscape of Ot-

HElp fund OttawaParamedics.ca An update helP Fund What is the HELP Fund? [email protected] leaders:

Insufficient benefits have failed to adequately support Steve Hallam, John Blythe, Deanna Schofield, Julie paramedics who fall victim to illness or injury. As a re- Laplante, Scott Stephens, Faye Proctor, Jennifer Kortko, Signing up is easy! sult, Ottawa paramedics have taken matters into our own Lianne Shaver, Paul Morneau For the equivalent of a few coffees a month, you can make a difference. hands and created the Helping Every Local Paramedic Visit our website to find out more information and start helping today! (HELP) Fund. REQUEST CARDS & FLOWERS 1. Login at www.OttawaParamedics. Ways we help. Starting as low as $1/ Month* 2. Go to “HELP Fund - Requests” *Tax receipts available • Oversized life event cards signed by all paramedics 3. Select card request (get well soon, new baby, con- Pre-authorized monthly debit payments • Caring gestures for hospitalized paramedics (gift cards, dolences, otherweise) and/or Donation/Flowers. make it seamless and easy to HELP. parking passes, etc.) 4. Provide recipient information • Disability or death funds for those injured or killed in the line of duty So let’s help those who are out there • Nationwide support & more helping all of us HELP Fund Statistics

It is important to keep up to date on the finances of the 613.244.0333 | [email protected] HELP Fund. A few statistics are listed here to give you Based on member feedback, OttawaParamedics.ca now an idea how we are currently managing. has a new 4-STEP feature to help you make a quick $9 Get Well Soon! and easy monthly donation to the help fund. Contributions Here is a breakdown of amounts people choose to con- HOW IT WORKS tribute:

OttawaParamedics.ca HELP FUND 1. Login at www.OttawaParamedics. #1 Most Popular Contribution Professional Paramedic Association of Ottawa 300 March Road (4th Floor), Ottawa, ON K2K2E2 $5.00/month 2. Go to “Edit Your Personal Info” 3. Update your monthly HELP Fund amount #2 Most Popular Contribution OttawaParamedics.ca 4. Click the check box after reading the “Pre-Authorized $10.00/month ProfessionalHELP Paramedic Association FUND of Ottawa Payment Terms & Conditions” legal disclaimer 300 March Road (4th Floor), Ottawa, ON K2K2E2

#3 Most Popular Contribution This website retains a permanent legal record of your Congratulations authorization and secure transaction $4.00/month on the new addition to your family

Late Paramedic Here are copies of some feedback received by the HELP Fund Group. The responses are from organizations and people who received lieu donations and oversized cards with hundreds of signatures from Ottawa Paramedics.

In lieu donation

Ottawa Paramedic

Montreal Chief Ottawa Paramedic QCH Nurse

Hockey Tournament Coordinator Martin Massé raised over $4672 for the HELP Fund.

We would like to thank Marty’s tournament volunteers, Jessica Phillips, Andrea Maclean, Shawn Martel, Ra- chel Grant, David Lubberts, Kath- erine Inniss, Lindsay Raison, Kath- erine Embury, Warren Brown, Tanis Choiniére and even Steven Dionne.

Volunteers are what drive these events and make them successful.

Photos can be found on the Ottawa Paramedic Facebook page.

Here are the final scores: timmins ems. Competitive Division tournament champions with hockey kingpin, Marty Massé. Competitive Final

Timmins EMS: 5 Ottawa Fire: 3

Recreational Final

Lanark EMS: 5 Leeds & Grenville EMS: 0

LANARK EMS. Recreational Division tournament champions.

This year’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade Thank you to all of the volunteers: La was another big success thanks to Cité Collegialé Paramedic Students parade coordinator Chantale Dumas Kevin Séguin, Guylain Bellemare, and her lively group of volunteers. Marjolaine Hervieux, Yanick Théri- ault, Chris forest-Desjardins, Jona- Orleans Police Fundraiser For once, the weather actually coop- than Laflèche, Stéphane Legendre, erated and it brought out an amazing Mathieu Bergeron, Pierre-Philippe amount of Irish spirit in everyone. Lachapelle, Scott Donais and Jil- Special thanks go out to Pierre- lian Guilbeault, Parade Coordinator Philippe Lachapelle, who could put Chantale Dumas, Equipment and the paparazzi to shame with his can- Supply Technician Rob Cousley, his did and numerous photos, and Yanick daughter Abbigayle Cousley and her Theriault, whose moves somehow friend Allison Rubino. managed to turn our “Code the Dog” mascot into a candidate for “So You . Mayor Jim Watson & Code Easter Seals Ball Hockey Think You Can Dance”.

St pattys day. Parade volunteers covered in clovers. Teddy Bear Picnic

We are pleased to announce that overdose based seizure. All of these Advanced Care Paramedics Greg scenarios are staged to be as realistic Furlong and Dave Libby represent- as possible. Congratulations Greg ing Ottawa Paramedic Service took and Dave!!! home 1st place this year at the skills competition in Durham Region! As well, Primary Care Paramed- ics Jennifer Alexander and Amber All paramedic teams had to go Bean placed 4th in the PCP division. through five different scenarios in- Congrats! cluding a trauma call, cardiac call, first place. Dave Libby and Greg Furlong gastro-intestinal emergency and an Photography: Ben Ripley

national competitors. Greg Furlong, Jennifer Alexander, Amber Bean, Dave Libby.

along with a small army of their stu- Kerry Morris and Rachel Armstrong Week, your dues help others to pro- dent volunteers. packed a truck and booked it down mote the profession of Paramedicine to Lambton College to promote on your behalf so thank-you for help- CTV Paramedicine to young women (the ing to make sure we stay on top as the 2012 paramedic week CTV television featured Rob Wilson PPAO had nothing to do with or- largest and most public paramedic & Jill deBoer promoting National National Paramedic Week another success ganizing the event but we supported chapter in Canada. Paramedic Week, MedicAlert and the ladies 100%). Allergy Awareness Month. The 2012 theme was MedicAlert and Please also keep in mind, the PPAO paramedic/police event with Monica More Public Events Injury Prevention on TV allergy awareness. Over 1.1 million is comprised of many more members Di Iorio, Eric Hopkins, John Blythe Ottawa Paramedics have also hosted While on duty as a Superintendent, Canadians are MedicAlert members than paramedics, so thank you to ev- & Shawn Martel at 10th Line Po- public events all throughout the city Paul Morneau stepped up for Na- with over half of those members hav- eryone for all that you do! You Rock! lice Station in Orleans on Saturday at schools and other places (way too tional Paramedic Week and provided ing some type of allergy. May 19th (police were ending Police many to list so thanks everyone for National Paramedic Week Overview the first two injury prevention shoots Week and we were beginning EMS an awesome job). The three most common allergies on local news television. Another year, another successful Na- week so they “passed the torch” so to among MedicAlert users are: Rolls Royce of Powered Lifts tional Paramedic Week (EMS week)! speak). Rogers TV (Francais) Rossbro Engineering (Sponsor 1. Penicillin Patrick Lanois and Eric Villeneuve Paul Morneau did a feature about in- Educational Videos Filmed at Paramedicine 2010) provided 2. Sulfa provided our first ever French spot jury prevention during heat waves on We just filmed a few video vignettes OttawaParamedics.ca with a video 3. Peanuts about how paramedics treat anaphy- CTV as well as road safety during the for the Canadian Medical Protec- of their Rolls Royce of powered lifts laxis on Rogers Television. from Patient Lifting Systems (UK). Aside from promoting MedicAlert May 24 long weekend on CBC. tive Association (CMPA) featuring NOTE: This device is most effective and Allergy Awareness, we remind Paul Levesque and Aaron Pol at the Rogers TV (English) Other Ottawa Paramedics also at reducing cumulative lifts for para- everyone that Paramedics have a very Montfort Hospital. Two of our paramedics, Jill de- joined in many events across the medics when combined with a pow- arduous job where one must deal with Boer and Rob Wilson were city to promote EMS week includ- New National TV Commercial ered stretcher. all sorts of trauma in unpredictable and featured on the CTV Ottawa morn- ing many BBQ’s, public speaking at We just finished filming a sequel to unstable environments. Emergency ing news and Roger’s Television where schools and other various public ven- the Canadian Wireless Telecommu- Lobbying calls regularly present precarious cir- they explained the significance of ues throughout the city. nications Association public service We sent paramedic information cumstances from disease to violence MedicAlert and how it plays a role in announcement about E-9-1-1 (Note: packages to our local MPP’s. to roadside hazards to extraordinary Paramedics also helped raise money paramedicine on a daily basis. The original featured Fergus Graham lifting and everything in between. for one of our local police officers Everything Else Too and Sue Noël. The new one features EZ-IO on CTV We all know most of our population who is battling brain cancer. A big Sorry if we left anybody out. the Communications Centre, Chris Brian Morris did an absolutely would never consider Paramedicine as thank you goes out to paramedics Bugelli and Dena O’Hara). amazing job promoted EMS Week Thanks everybody for your support a career choice. Kudos to our women John Blythe, Shawn Martel, Eric and the EZ-IO on the CTV Morn- including the Management Team and men for doing such a mentally Hopkins and Monica Di Iorio for Two BBQ’s at HQ ing show (the PPAO had nothing to at Ottawa Paramedic Service who and physically demanding job, 24 attending a coordinated event with Our paramedic student members do with organizing the spot but want helps with approvals, media training, hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a Ottawa Police. from Algonquin College hosted two to say wow can Brian talk on TV). equipment and encouragement. year, during birthdays, holidays, fam- amazing barbeques at HQ. The bar- Police Week to Paramedic Week ily activities and everything else regu- beques were coordinated by Allison Promoting Paramedicine to For those of you who couldn’t vol- We participated in a really awesome lar people get to enjoy. Huckstep and Mary-Ellen Hodgins Young Women unteer during National Paramedic

Best Dressed: Champions. The winning team of the tournament. A combination of 140 players including, Ottawa Para- medics, Eastern Ontario Chiefs and allied health care Ed Ouston, Jill Naprstek, Daniel Donnini & Katherine professionals joined in the golfing, games and fun on Tar. August 16th at the Canadian Golf and Country Club. Worst Dressed: Annually the event has strived to create an atmosphere of camaraderie within the paramedic profession while also Kyle Griffiths, Eric Kapcala, Jeff Sills, & Eric Boileau. raising money for charity. Grand Prize Winner:

At the end of the day, we were able to raise a modest Ginny Warner (golf bag signed by Ottawa Senators). amount of $5247 from the Paramedic Golf Tournament yes. that will be equally divided between two charities this Thanks to all of our sponsors, golfers, and volunteers who Out of the sand trap. year: helped make this event possible.

1.The Royal Ottawa’s DIFD (Do it for Daron) Founda- Tournament Coordinators tion where they are striving to inspire conversations, raise Amber Bean & Rosemary Bentley awareness and transform youth mental health [email protected]

2.The HELP (Helping Every Local Paramedic) Fund that Robert Mallett, Treasurer supports paramedics with illness or injury. [email protected]

We were honored to include the DIFD foundation as one Darryl Wilton, President prize. Best pose. of our event’s charities to bring awareness to the issue of [email protected] What? There’s no prize for best tan?!? youth mental health; an important topic that paramedics Tournament Assistants actively address in patients and also as a topic we hold Julie Bélanger, Registration & 50/50 Tickets close to our hearts with the nature of our chosen career. Amy Secor, Registration & 50/50 Tickets 2012 Tournament Winners: Candace Brandauer, Registration & Benevolent Pins Morgan Piirronen, Photographer Barry Clark and his team of ringers; Steve Thompson, Suelana Taha, Photographer Scott Elson & Ron Martin. Phil Mallis, Golf Course Selection Hummer Upgrade Your Ride Winners: Gillian Cross, Hole-in-One Steven Dionne, Hole-in-One Dave Craig and John Shail. prize. Worst Dressed. Brad Ross, Putting Contest

Gold Sponsorship Bronze hole sponsorship

OttawaParamedics.ca helP Fund

custom prize sponsorship silver Sponsorship Campbell councillor chiropractic doug thompson

Complete councillor athletics allan hubley

commander councillor stephanie mills keith egli

paramedic councillor brad ross bob monette councillor rainer bloess

jay foley

Emergency Medical Service workers “Almost 70 per cent said that they wasn’t really surprising.” in Ontario and Nova Scotia were in- had experienced some sort of vio- Additional findings include: vited to take part in the study while lence just in the last 12 months,” he victims of abuse attending a continuing education said. Acts of intimidation were perpetrat- seminar this year. Bigham said they ed by patients (37.8 per cent), patient “Over the course of a career, para- Violence against paramedics didn’t have the resources to poll na- family or friends (27 per cent), col- medics are probably exposed to this tionally. leagues (45.3 per cent) and bystand- numerous times, and so that can take ers (3.4 per cent). Researchers received a 90 per cent a toll on paramedics’ mental health, TWO-THIRDS OF PARAMEDICS from mental health disorders, but on the job, with more than two- response rate with more than 1,300 and maybe their life outside of work.” Among reported cases of sexual ha- ABUSED ON THE JOB added that there are also many inci- thirds polled in Ontario and Nova paramedics taking part. Respondents rassment, 64.7 per cent were com- In reported acts of verbal abuse, the A new Canadian-led study reveals dents were the assault is intentional. Scotia reporting incidents of verbal, were asked if they had directly been mitted by patients, colleagues (41.2 majority of incidents were perpe- that more than two-thirds of para- physical or sexual abuse, according to the victims of various forms of vio- per cent), patient family or friends He said it’s difficult to escape an ag- trated by either patients (62.9 per medics have been victims of abuse new research. lence within the previous 12 months. (18.4 per cent) and bystanders (8.8 gressive patient, especially in the back cent) or family members or friends while on the job. per cent). of an ambulance. Lead investigator Blair Bigham, an According to the findings published of patients (36.4 per cent), compared More than 1,300 paramedics in On- associate scientist at Rescu, which in the January issue of Prehospital to colleagues (20.8 per cent) and by- The majority of sexual assault inci- “When it comes down to being phys- tario and Nova Scotia were asked if is based at St. Michael’s Hospital in Emergency Care, verbal abuse was standers (5.8 per cent). dents reported were committed by ically assaulted ... usually it comes they had directly been victims of vio- Toronto, has been a paramedic for 5 the most commonly reported among patients (88.9 per cent), colleagues without warning,” said Wilton. With respect to acts of physical lence within the previous 12 months. 1/2 years, working on ground ambu- 67.4 per cent of EMS workers sur- (14.8 per cent), patient family or “When you’re in the back of a mov- abuse, 92.3 per cent were committed lances and helicopters. veyed, while intimidation was report- friends (7.4 per cent) and bystanders 70 per cent of the paramedics sur- by patients, patient family members ed by 41.5 per cent of respondents. (2.7 per cent). veyed said they had experienced “...it’s common for Bigham said he and his colleagues or friends (11.1 per cent), colleagues physical, verbal or sexual abuse while paramedics to be punched, had been aware that fellow para- Some 26.1 per cent polled reported (3.8 per cent) and 2.3 per cent by Bigham said the next step is to find being physically abused, 13.6 per cent bystanders. Bigham wasn’t particu- at work. kicked and even spit on, medics had experienced violent acts, out the type of impact these incidents but were unaware of how commonly reported sexual harassment, and 2.7 larly shocked that many of the acts are having on paramedics and to per- President of the Professional Para- while on the job.” those incidents occurred. per cent reported sexual assault. reportedly committed were done by haps design strategies to help miti- medic Association of Ottawa Darryl patients or their loved ones, given gate post-traumatic stress disorder Wilton said it’s common for para- It’s a reality Bigham, too, has faced Of the 1,381 paramedics polled, 70 ing vehicle like an ambulance and the typically high-stress nature and and other effects on their lives. medics to be punched, kicked and firsthand. He said he has experienced per cent were male with a median you’re basically inside a box ... there’s environment surrounding emergency even spit on, while on the job. both verbal abuse and intimidation age of 34 and 10 years experience in Paramedics should also continue re- not a lot you can do to get away from calls. from people in crisis. After the study EMS. porting such acts to help better track “In any occupation that shouldn’t be the threat either.” had begun, Bigham said he experi- “Paramedics are called to situations the incidents and provide a greater considered normal, but unfortunately Bigham, an advanced care flight Wilton said he hopes studies like this enced his first physical assault while that are very hectic and stressful and understanding of situations leading for paramedics it is,” said Wilton. paramedic for York Region EMS and will raise awareness about the prob- working as a paramedic. the people there are often in crisis to violence, he added. “It’s so common that paramedics for Ornge, Ontario’s transport medicine lem. and that’s part of what responding to service, said he wasn’t surprised that the most part accept that it’s part of “It wasn’t a major incident, but it just 9-1-1 calls entails,” he said. “So the “I think just acknowledging that paramedics suffered violence. How- the territory, it’s part of the job,” he Paramedics coping with the demands further punctuated that this can hap- fact that it’s patients or the people these type of events don’t need to be ever, he was taken aback at how many said. of providing front-line emergency pen to anybody, anywhere,” he said in around those patients who are feeling kept in the dark, that we can shed EMS workers reported on-the-job care are also facing personal attacks an interview Thursday. stressed and are acting out violently some light on them and speak about Wilton said many aggressors suffer abuse.

them, can help us better understand “When paramedics go into these cri- interactions appropriately has im- what’s going on and help us de- sis situations, the expectation is that proved,” he said. sign interventions that can reduce people are stressed,” said Cassidy. “We have expectations of our pa- violence towards paramedics in the “When we go into these instances, tients and those interactions tend to Retiring Paramedics field.” it is fairly normal for emotions and be better controlled by paramedics,” anxiety to be running fairly high.” tune to work with and meet a lot of PARAMEDICS IN THE LINE OF FIRE he added. Ed Ouston wonderful people of whom I will But he noted that frequently, an in- Emergency medical services manager Blair Bigham, the lead investigator never forget, every person I have jury or disease is what causes the After working in British Colum- Myles Cassidy said Cornwall is no on the study, done by St. Michael’s met in life has helped me become patient to lose control, rather than bia and Ontario as a paramedic, Ed different from the rest of the prov- Hospital in Toronto, noted more re- what I am today and I cannot thank anger or frustration. Ouston has ended his career with ince, where a recent study showed you enough for that.” search is needed to better understand 35 years of service under his belt two-thirds of paramedics suffered “Often times a medical condition can the impact of the abuse suffered by (and the body of a very fit 25 year The last piece of advice from Ed... abuse while on duty. lead to instances of lashing out,” he paramedics while on duty. old). “If I could offer any advice I would said. “People get spit on, people get like to say, your mind is like a para- “EMS providers can experience vio- Ed shared, “My paramedic career knocked around,” said Cassidy. chute it needs to be open in order Cassidy said from his own experi- lence in the workplace as they per- has opened so many doors of op- “There’s a physical interaction with for it to work properly. An open ences responding to calls, diabetes is form their jobs in unpredictable en- portunity for me, I have traveled people who may have a reduced level mind provides an open heart to give the worst offender. vironments and near people in crisis,” the world and now in my retirement of consciousness.” you compassion and open eyes to he said in a news release. will be able to revisit those places “Diabetics, and their decreased level seek opportunities. Good luck to More than a quarter of the 1,300 and this time stay long, for as long of consciousness due to their condi- “We go into stressful situations, and every one of you.” -Ed Ouston as I want. I have had the good for- paramedics from Ontario and Nova tion, are prone to lash out,” he ex- we’re the ones that decompress that Scotia who were surveyed reported plained. “They’re not doing it in a situation,” said Cassidy. “It’s being being physically abused by patients conscious manner.” done better now, certainly, than 10 to William Bennett or their loves ones. Verbal abuse was 15 years ago.” William Bennett has retired from years, providing support, inspira- encountered by 67. “Diabetics and mental health patients often need a little more atten- LIST OF WORKS CITED: the Ottawa Paramedic Service with tion and advice to all paramedics 4% of the workers, while intimida- 39 years of excellent service. in his service as well as providing tion and skill to deal with them,” he 1310 News, Dec 29, 2011 tion was experienced by 41.5%. added. patient care. He is an advocate for Since 1974, William has delivered Canadian Press, Dec 29, 2011 paramedicine, and was one of the “I’m sure that number would be 28 infants, estimated over 40 real Cassidy said the number of aggres- first ‘ambulance officers’ to join with common to all EMS services in the VSA saves, and is a source of valu- sive patients hasn’t changed much Cheryl Brink at Standard-Freehold. Medical Director Justin Maloney industry,” said Cassidy, though he able experience in patient care. His over the years and he doesn’t expect com, Jan 08, 2012 to lobby for the creation of Ottawa noted the survey may have higher proudest achievement was working it to, as the stress factors surrounding Paramedics. NOTE: Writers at all 3 media agencies numbers than the incidents workers EMS calls is a constant. However, he as an operations manager for 12 have been nominated for Ontario Para- actually reported to their supervisors. said new training is helping workers medic Association provincial media better diffuse potentially violent situ- As for Cornwall, he said they had one awards for “accuracy in reporting about ations. Ed and William will be very dearly missed and we wish them all the best. physical assault last year, which led to paramedics”. police charges and a conviction. “Our ability to respond to those

Most Trusted Profession

According to a Readers Digest poll, Paramedics are once again the most Award Winners trusted profession for the second year in a row.

Certificate of Merit, Rob Bittorf The 2012 “Most Trusted Profession” On November 17th 2011, ACP Rob award was accepted in Australia by Bittorf assisted two police officers frontline paramedics. What an honour! who were temporarily incapacitated David Tassicker, Crystal Cooke, and by pepper spray during an altercation. Cameron Edgar. Rob (past Bylaw Officer and currently an ACP with Ottawa Paramedic Service) jumped in and subdued the Exemplary Service Award assailant until the officers could de- Advanced Care Paramedic Martin contaminate and complete the arrest. Massé received an Exemplary Ser- vice Award for contributing to in- Exemplary Service Award community. Both Paul & Deanna spiration and vision of paramedics Superintendents Paul Morneau and were honoured to be recognized by through activity and sport. For years, Deanna Schofield were two of 2012’s their peers at the 2012 OPA Gala Martin has been coordinating the OPA Exemplary Service Award re- and want to ensure that everybody Ottawa Paramedic Hockey Tourna- cipients. Paul & Deanna were given knows that it was not only them do- ment which has raised thousands of this prestigious award from their ing this great work but also all the dollars each year for the Professional peers for their outstanding and long- other paramedics and staff volunteers Paramedic Association of Ottawaís term commitment to promoting Di- who help out with the DCP at all the HELP Fund. Martin is also respon- versity and Inclusion at Ottawa Para- various Diversity events and projects sible for raising money for commu- medic Service (OPS) and within the throughout the year. nity charities such as the Easter Seals Ball Hockey Tournament on Ot- MedVents tawa’s Sparks Street Mall.

Deputy Chief Peter Kelly accepts award on behalf of Ottawa Paramed- ic Service for assisting the MedVents Governor General EMS Exemplary Ontario Paramedic Association Ontario Paramedic Association Service Awards: Long Service Awards: Exemplary Service Awards: with their program Gary Chamberlain, Kevin Cor- Patrick Allard, Robert Gauthier, Martin Massé, Rob Mallett, Paul rigan, Dave Darling, Steve Dodge, Jean Hamel, Joanne McGregor, Tim Morneau, Deanna Schofield Robert Dowling, Greg Drummond, O’Neill, James Weedmark Jean Hamel, Neil Martin, Michael Martins, Stephanie Mills, Tracey Suprunchuk, Brent Winchcombe

the city so that a coded signal could 1929 erator manually made cable connec- be sent to the fire stations, initiating tions to link the calls. The Incident - Sewer Explosions a response. As word spread, more Even though the communications agencies would get involved. Before dialing 9-1-1 had improved from telegraph boxes, With records from Lynea Finn, Director of Archives Back then, we didn’t have enough there was difficulty finding patients horse-drawn ambulances, so police due to the number of structures that were given special authority through were burning over such a vast area. Since the early 1900’s, major events winds, the fire spread across the Ot- bylaws. The regulations stated, “the To make matters worse, the canal began teaching us to find ways to tawa River where it was incinerat- owner or driver of any cab, when and river essentially divided the scene communicate better and to continuing complete houses in less than 10 called upon to do so, would assist any into three separate incident zones. ously work towards building a re- minutes. By the time it was out, the constable in the conveyance of per- sponse system that would eventually majority of the city had burned to the sons wounded, met with accident, or By the time it was under control, only be comprised of trained professionals. ground along with all of the utilities, suddenly taken ill as long as it was On May 29, 1929, just after lunch one person had died, but ambulance plunging Ottawa into 5 nights of not infectious in nature.” time, a number of random explosions crews were very busy transporting complete darkness. started to rock Elgin St. multiple injured patients. 1900 Only two horse-drawn ambulances Seven people were killed in the blaze The Incident – The Great Fire existed; one for emergencies and one Cars were quite new in those days so and 15000 were left homeless. Many for contagious diseases. It was strictly environmental regulations were still 1942 Lynea Finn. Director of Archives more were killed by disease in the enforced to have the units kept sepa- in their infancy. It is presumed the The Incident - Almonte Train Wreck densely packed tent cities that had to rate since there were so many disease problem started when gasoline from be constructed afterwards. outbreaks within the city. The horses It’s a very simple and widely recog- mechanic garages wasn’t discarded and equipment were managed by nized phone number: 9-1-1. Even though this occurred more than properly. Poured down drains, the W.H. Cluff, an Alderman and Offi- a century ago, property losses were burning liquid made its way through cial Auditor who also owned stables In today’s world, the most panic said to be $6.2 million in Ottawa and sewer pipes, under the Rideau Canal at 60 Queen Street. However, the stricken onlookers can easily sum- $3.3 million in Hull. In today’s dol- and over to Sandy Hill where several staff were provided by E. Gauthier mon help for situations that threaten lars, Ottawa’s losses alone would be houses then caught fire through their funeral home. life, limb or property. This emergency equivalent to $165 million. plumbing systems. number was designed with the by- Additional private resources were stander in mind, making it quick and The Response – The Great Fire Following the gradient of the under- also available from; Brady and Har- ground pipes, the explosions contin- easy for anyone to request assistance. Back in the year 1900, Ottawa’s main Phone lines had previously been ap- ris, Julien Alphonse, George Rogers, ued to travel east to the far side of the On Dec 27, 1947 passengers were construction material and export proved by council in 1893 but it was Calling for help wasn’t always this easy. Samuel Rogers and WM J. Landre- Rideau River. Downtown city streets unloading from a local train at the earned us the name ‘timber town’. 1900 and the public still had no abil- ville. These business owners were all and houses burned on one side of the Almonte Station when a military Prior to 9-1-1, Ottawa experienced ity to make a call. On April 26 at 10:00am, the Hull listed as undertakers, funeral direc- river while a church in Vanier ex- train came barrelling down the tracks several large incidents where help Fire Department requested assis- Fires regularly ravaged parts of the tors or taxi drivers and also provided ploded on the other. It was mayhem. and collided with just about every- was summoned by comparatively tance for a bad chimney fire that was community in those days. In order to casual ambulance services at some thing in sight. primitive means and those who were The Response - Sewer Explosions beginning to spread out of control. summon help, a system of fire tele- point in each of their histories. entrusted with responding weren’t al- The force was so severe that train Four hours later and fanned by high graph boxes had been installed across In the twenties, phone calls were sent ways paramedics. cars telescoped one another, causing through a switchboard where an op-

patients to be trapped, crushed and station, a combination of 30 public Almonte acted as cooly and as bravely as the first point of contact for decades, ed supports and caused the majority We brought back three ambulances that even buried under debris. Many pas- and private ambulances were waiting people acted in the air raids in England. most had recently sold their ambu- of the bridge to crumple several sto- Eric purchased or were getting fixed. sengers remained entangled for up to to pick up the wounded and transfer We just all tried to do our best.” lances to private companies and were ries to the ground. Eric told us once we got back to base nine hours. them to the Civic hospital. no longer in the emergency business. that the Heron Bridge had collapsed. I There were over 50 injured patients 1958 When the emergency calls rang in, was driving the hearse, Alex Ackland The Response - Almonte Train The historic and catastrophic Al- spread between the east and west The Incident – Jackson Building they had to be redirected to one of in the ambulance and Jack Lockland in Wreck monte train wreck ended up leav- banks of the Rideau River and 9 work- Explosion the specialized ambulance services. an ambulance, none of us had partners. ing 33 people dead and hundreds ers died, trapped in tonnes of concrete. With the flick of a light switch at I was strictly body removal, and none of wounded. One could presume all of these num- 8:17am on Saturday October 25th It took over 24 hours to account for the attendants extricated patients. The ber changes created confusion for First Person Account: John R Reid of 1958, the Jackson Building at the everyone. Civic Hospital brought a mobile triage patients and delays getting help. This Almonte was one of the first to offer aid corner of Bank and Slater exploded to scene, and patients were taken by am- ultimately became the catalyst for the The Response – Heron Road bridge at this train wreck. This is his account as along with the neighbouring Cin- bulance after they had been triaged.” city to clearly identify and contract collapse printed in the Canadian Press: eplex Odeon theatre. specific ambulance service providers. Twin City was an ambulance service “I was walking along beside the stand- Fortunately, a sleepy Saturday morn- 1985 Two ambulance companies eventu- that had recently bought vehicles and ing train when the crash came. I did ing ensured the downtown core was The Incident – Turkish Embassy ally stepped up to do just that: Ex- equipment from two funeral homes not know anything out of the usual was still in a slumber and the theatre was Attack clusive and Twin City. that had amalgamated earlier in Five years prior to the Almonte train happening until the collision. As I was hours away from opening its doors. 1966. wreck, the phone system in the City walking against the wind there was a The only person present had been of Ottawa changed from a manual terrible splintering of glass and a young the gentleman who was being paid to 1966 At the time of the Heron Road switchboard to better automated woman fell through the air right at my clean the place on the weekends. The Incident – Heron Road bridge bridge collapse, Twin City Ambu- technology. collapse lance and Exclusive Ambulance were “...the people of Almonte The scene was devastating but when the only contracted agencies serving As a matter of getting the city orga- acted as cooly and bravely the dust settled, only the janitor had the City of Ottawa. Between the two lost his life. nized, each phone was given a spe- as people acted in the air companies, a total of 11 ambulances cialized number and the directories The Response – Jackson Building existed. became of utmost importance. This raids in England.” Explosion Despite Twin City’s purchases, 3 ve- made it easier than ever before to feet. I could see other people trapped in The city began using 5 digit phone hicles, along with some of their staff, summon assistance for such a large the wreckage, but I could not reach them numbers in 1937 but in spite of ev- were in the Montreal area waiting for On March 12, 1985, three Armenian disaster and a combination of am- at the moment. I threw my coat around erything, continued to lack a central- repairs and modifications that day. nationalists armed with explosives bulances, trucks and hearses were all the girl and I saw other people hurry- ized ambulance service dispatch for Without a doubt, this adversely im- and guns pulled up to the Turkish sent to the scene. ing down to help, so I decided to see this many years to come. pacted their response capabilities. Embassy on Wurtemburg Street in The small community of Almonte young woman who was injured looked a rental truck. After fatally shooting coordinated a great response but they after. A man came along in a car and When an event like the Jackson First Person Account: Carson Choui- the armed guard in a gun battle, they helped me lift her into it. She was the building explosion occurred, all nard, a retired Exclusive Ambulance quickly became overwhelmed with On August 5th 1966, the eastern side blew the doors open with explosives first patient at our hospital, and until emergency crews had to be contacted attendant still living in Ottawa re- the extraordinary number of patients. of the Heron Road bridge was being and took everyone inside hostage. that time the hospital did not know individually. members attending this call. “Alex Ack- A third train had to be brought in to poured with concrete. At 3:30pm, the about the crash... I am very pleased to land, John Noël, and myself just drove The Turkish Ambassador jumped transport dozens of injured to Otta- load shifted due to poorly construct- Although funeral homes had been from a second story window and sus- wa. Upon arrival at the Ottawa train hear that someone said that the people of back from Murray Hill near Montreal.

tained a broken leg, pelvis and arm. new partner. We booked out and got a would have to be a fast extrication since During the 1980’s, the city finally be- “Never doubt that a small group of to 1968: Ottawa Archives Tactical paramedics didn’t exist in Code 4 bombing and shooting at the we knew the patient had sustained frac- gan using one centralized seven digit concerned citizens can change the 5. Ottawa Citizen articles 1929, 1952, 6. Oral Histories: George Carson, Carson those days, so any patient who hap- embassy. We raced there and they hadn’t tures. It did cross my mind that this man emergency number for all ambulance world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that Chouinard, John Montgomery, Brian Mc- pened to be in the hot zone had to lay even sectioned of Wurtemburg yet. As was a heavy lift, but with the adrenalin services. The new technology also en- ever has.” Garry, Sean Copeland, Ed Hiscoe, and Simon injured and wait until the scene was we pulled up beside the rental van, we going, we were able to carry the patient abled dispatchers to quickly organize -Margaret Mead, anthropologist Dube (Rancine, Robert and Gauthier). safe. After four hours of negotiations, could see the dead security guard and back to the truck. We moved him in our the most appropriate and available 7. http://people.howstuffworks.com/ques- List of Works Referenced: the terrorists finally put down their the remnants of the front door. We saw truck to the Critical Care Unit that was resource while providing instructions tion664.htm 1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1900_ weapons. at least 4 officers with guns drawn and waiting. It was staffed with a doctor and information to the caller as the 8. http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=X Hull%E2%80%93Ottawa_fire pointed at the embassy. Butch opened and nurse. He was rushed to the Civic response unfolded. This greatly sim- h4sAAAAIBAJ&sjid=1cYEAAAAIBAJ&p The Response – Turkish Embassy 2. City of Ottawa By-Law Minutes 1850 g=4384,6322304&dq=telephone+number+ch his door and I yelled ‘Don’t get out!’ He Hospital. Lyle sat with us the whole plified matters when people phoned to 1968: Ottawa Room located in the Main Attack ange&hl=en turned to me and said, ‘I’m not getting time as we completed the large amount for help. Library Branch By 1985, the Sisters of Charity at 43 out I am getting down!’ We crawled to of paperwork. We spoke with him about 3. City of Ottawa Directories 1862 to 2012: And it all happened before dialing Bruyere Street were running the first the back of the rig and stayed in there the stress of this call and we were issued Ottawa Archives 9-1-1. Centralized Ambulance Communica- for (the next) four hours. Dispatch kept the rest of the day off.” 4. City of Ottawa City Council Minutes 1868 tions Centre. This meant that all local asking us to switch channels on the ra- ambulances could finally be reached dio, but we couldn’t get to the front of Year Major Event 9-1-1 Technology Patient Response Casualties through one phone number, but it still the truck. Butch just said, ‘Switch the In Closing 7 dead, wasn’t as short and sweet as 9-1-1. rest of the service off this channel.’ I as- 2 horse drawn ambulances, funeral homes, Over the last 113 years, major inci- 1900 Ottawa/Hull Fire Coded Telegraph 15,000 home- sume that’s what they ended up doing undertakers, horse drawn taxi & police Local ambulances were dispersed dents have seen emergency services less because I didn’t hear anything about it amongst six divisions that shared summoned by a variety of means Operator-controlled manual 1 dead, several again. Lyle Massender (Manager) did 1929 Sewer Explosion funeral home ambulances calls across the Ottawa area and fol- including word of mouth, telegraph switchboards injured come on the air to confirm that we were lowed provincial regulations as set boxes, switchboards and a variety of 1930 The single biggest unpredictable threat to life is no longer fire, it becomes trauma still ok. Officers would come to the truck out by the Ministry of Health. phone technologies. Automated switchboards con- for warmth and to get out of the rain. At Over 30 private and public ambulances 33 dead, 1942 Almonte Train Collision nected to letter/number destina- one point we saw a military tank driv- During the first half of the century, plus hearses and available trucks 100’s injured When the call came in for the Turk- tions callers often had to make multiple at- ish Embassy attack, it was dispatched ing down Wurtemburg. Tactical Police 5 digit rotary phone numbers (but Funeral homes and private transfer services tempts to summon help, never know- 1958 Jackson Building explosion 1 dead to Ottawa-Carleton Regional Ambu- asked us to hide behind the rear back no phone directories) with varying hours of work lance Service (OCRAS). tire of our vehicle for better protection ing whether or not emergency ser- 1) Twin City Ambulance 9 dead, 50 as they were about to storm the embassy. vices would be available to respond. 1966 Heron Bridge Collapse 7 digit rotary phone numbers 2) Exclusive Ambulance First Person Account: To this day, Don- injured We heard shots fired inside, and shortly (total, 11 ambulances) na Duff still works as a Primary Care By the 1950’s, the Bell directory was after tactical police told us we had 5 1966 9-1-1 implemented in the USA becoming more organized, followed Paramedic with Ottawa Paramedic minutes to get the ambassador out. As I by phone numbers becoming lengthy 1974 9-1-1 implemented in 1st Ontario city, London Service and has over 30 years of expe- left the back of the truck and looked at due to the booming population. The 1979 9-1-1 implemented in 2nd Ontario city, Toronto rience. Donna Duff (formerly Parker) the scene, I could see the hostages had only drawback was that the emer- 7 digit phone number goes to the and Butch Lanoue responded to this call been released. There were children as Ottawa-Carleton Regional Ambulance 1 dead, 1 gency phone numbers themselves 1985 Turkish Embassy Shooting Sister of Charity’s Central Ambu- out of the old base on Parisien Street. young as 7-8 years old. We had tactical (OCRAS) as part of 6 area services injured seemed to be getting longer and lon- lance Communications Centre Donna remembers the call vividly… escorts surrounding us, with weapons ger every decade. 1988 9-1-1 implemented in Ottawa-Carleton, 14 years after it arrives in Ontario loaded and pointed. Butch and I decided “It was my first shift with Butch, my 1995 Advanced Care Paramedics arrive in Ottawa-Carleton to just bring the backboard, since this

How did it all work back then? With the introduction of phones in the early combined with new machinery, enabled By 1958, the funeral homes got out of the 1900’s, the Ottawa Citizen began running automated switching to take place so calls emergency business and began to focus Pride week a section for important phone numbers could be connected more quickly. on providing non-urgent transfer services. and another for advertisements. There was Many owners sold their extra vehicles to But who did the calls go to? Funeral homes also the Ottawa Directory, which would list private ambulance companies. The one had already been offering ambulance ser- a combination of numbers for private resi- key component non-urgent transfers could vices since 1890 and continued doing so dences and businesses. provide was an opportunity to establish a until the 1950’s, but life saving treatments relationship with the patient (in case fu- As the 1930’s approached, phone num- weren’t very important back then. neral services would ever be required in bers became comprised of a single letter Although their services were only available the future). followed by a group of numbers. Other during the day or by appointment, there than that, there definitely wasn’t much While the funeral homes were busy re- still seemed to be a significant amount of consistency in how the numbers were ar- aligning their business strategies, the city competition between funeral homes for ranged. The single letters often indicated was continuing to grow. As Ottawa blos- ambulance calls. They tried to outdo one a specific area of town, or street. For ex- somed into the 1960’s, the community another by advertising comfortable trans- ample, C-600 referred to Carling 600, but was getting ready to make the switch from portation, oxygen, first aid skills and would it would be rotary dialed as 2-600 followed 5 digit phone numbers to 7 digit phone even claim to be the best. by the switchboard operator manually numbers.

plugging the cable into the correct line to However, their motives became clear It seemed like dialing for help was becom- complete the call. when patients lost vital signs. The funeral ing a longer and longer process every de- home crews did not provide treatments By November 20th 1937, technology was cade. like CPR or even continue to the hospital. evolving quickly and the city began using 5 They would simply divert to their respec- digit phone numbers. These consistencies, tive funeral chapel.

All set. Paramedics get ready for the pride parade. Sample Funeral Homes Address Phone # (1930) Phone # (1937)

Brady and Harris (Funeral Directors) 375 Lisgar St. Q-687 2-4857

Hulse Bros Funeral Home 315 McLeod C-600 3-1144, 2-0086

Rogers George H Ltd (Funeral Directors) 172 Elgin St. Q-1098 2-3777

Whelan and Son (Funeral Directors) 515 Cooper St. Q-29 3-1148

List collected through the Ottawa Directories

sponding to 9-1-1 calls with para- spent countless hours working as- Alps are beautiful but they make for medics from D platoon, she also signments, projects for school and pretty good physical obstructions, worked shifts in the Central Ambu- gap analysis for the Professional introduce many hazards (such as an Swiss Guest lance Communications Centre, Tech Paramedic Association of Ottawa. avalanche that narrowly missed her Services, Training and Development, She also attended the Ontario Para- while skiing), and the height of the Paramedic student would love to join OPS Community Medicine, and she had medic Association’s three-day con- peaks can leave you with a constant had a thrilling day with the Para- ference in Toronto. feeling of being miniscule. medic Rapid Response Unit. She What did Melissa like most about Said Melissa: “I hope to come back even helped the Tactical Paramedics From September 10 to 28, Advance Ottawa? The friendly people were soon and to work, perhaps in a few get suited up for training and partici- Care Paramedic student Melissa always at the top of her list, and the years, as a paramedic in your Service.” pated in a photo shoot on Parliament Bovet, from Switzerland, worked horizon came a close second. Yes, the Hill. with frontline crews of the Ottawa horizon. Melissa was enthralled with Paramedic Service D platoon. As if that wasn’t enough to do in the views and seemed amazed at how three weeks, between shifts Melissa far you could see. She said the Swiss In October 2011, Melissa was in her mother’s native Canada on vacation and asked to stop by Ottawa Para- medic Service for a tour. At the end of the visit, Melissa, who speaks Ger- man, French and English, said she Melissa bovet. was impressed with our unique sys- With Tactical Paramedics Pat Lanois & Eric Villeneuve. tem design and with how friendly the paramedics were. asked if she would be interested Recognizing her dedication, Darryl This was music to the ears of Pro- in doing part of her practicum in Wilton, Deputy Chief Kevin New- fessional Paramedic Association of Canada. The deal was that we would ell and Deputy Chief Peter Kelly Ottawa president Darryl Wilton, also want Melissa to teach us how worked together to arrange for Me- who had been extolling the value of the paramedic training program and lissa to experience a few weeks at Ot- the organization International Para- paramedic system are operated in tawa Paramedic Service. medic. He believed an exchange stu- Switzerland. OPS is known for having some pret- dent could give frontline paramedics Melissa agreed and was excited to ty gung-ho staff, and the chance to a chance to start to discuss and share begin looking into international reci- mentor a paramedic from Switzer- information from services and na- procity so she could challenge our land brought out people in droves. tions around the world. exams and possibly work in Canada’s As word spread, dozens of staff sent Paramedic students in Switzerland capital city. Melissa has been pursu- in requests to show Melissa the ropes. need to complete part of their com- ing Canadian citizenship as she would While the majority of her time was pulsory fieldwork, or practicum, in like to live and work in Canada. Her spent in the Operations division re- a secondary service. So Melissa was mother lived in Ottawa for 16 years.

Paramedics to train Medical nearly every modification that our Big thanks to Ben Ripley for com- Doctors on film paramedics suggested. ing out to photograph the shoot (Ben On Feb 28 and June 20, the PPAO and Jilliane both switched day shifts The 15 minute video segment was was contacted by the CMPA (Cana- for night shifts to be a part of the Media spotlight shot over 4.5 hrs, with much stand- dian Medical Protective Association) vignette) and Andrée-Anne Gervais ing and waiting between cuts. Most with a request for paramedics to also assisted pre-production with of the other actors joked that as para- participate in some bilingual patient translation of the original script. safety vignette video productions. medics we were fairly used to waiting The video series is set to be part of in hospital hallways due to extensive Following the final cut, paramed- the training package for new physi- offload delays. ics received commendations from the production team for their per- cians across Canada. Paramedics Jilliane Wade and Aaron formance and active involvement in Pol volunteered their time on June For the first shoot, Paramedics Aaron making the vignette shoot a success. Pol and Paul Levesque volunteered 20th and were given full permis- and were given full permission by the sion to adjust the original script and As the CMPA membership com- production company to adjust the make the paramedic component as prises most practising physicians in original script and make the para- accurate as possible. The production Canada, it was a great opportunity to medic component as accurate as pos- team (which included physicians) educate the next generation of MD’s sible. The production team (which were very cooperative and supportive, and shed a light on Paramedicine as a included physicians) were very coop- incorporating nearly every modifica- profession. A big thank you again to erative and supportive, incorporating tion that our paramedics suggested. Aaron, Paul and all of those involved!

Graeme anderson. Tactical Paramedic treating Taser wounds.

PPAO films new TV Commercial in English and French. The com- Part of the commercial is using our (PSA) mercials are about wireless technol- Communications centre (CACC) as In more exciting news, during spring ogy and display Paramedic commu- a backdrop. A paramedic unit op- of 2012, the PPAO has secured nications as an important example. erated by Chris Bugelli and Dena Anderson’s visit a Public Service Announcement Our Communications Officers and O’Hara was used to demonstrate “in Anderson Bihler Visits HQ This event would not be possible (PSA) commercial which is being Paramedics were showcasing wire- the field” visual wireless 9-1-1 tech- Seven year old Anderson Bihler of without the following volunteers: filmed by Parktown Productions. less technology from Automatic Ve- nology. The commercial was released Stittsville is on the road to recovery Ben Ripley for pictures; JP Trottier hicle Locators to GPS, ePCR, radio during National Paramedic Week to The Canadian Wireless Telecommu- from a brain aneurysm and massive for arranging media; Ana Maria Nix- MOH systems, 800Mhz radio sys- all Canadian TV networks and will nications Association has provided stroke suffered suddenly in June. He on for getting the ball rolling and to tems as well as cell phones and satel- be airing soon. the funding for the 2 minute com- was able to survive this trauma not Rob Wilson for all of his hard work lite phones. mercials which will air across Canada only because of the work of neuro- in keeping that ball rolling. Thank- surgeons, his own resiliency and the you to everyone involved! power of prayer but also because of the initial response and work of paramedics in responding to the emergency situation.

A huge thank-you goes out to acting Commander Denis Gagnon for arranging to have Superintendent Darrell Drew, Paramedics Rosemary Bentley, Matthew Di Monte and Communications Officer Maggie Labelle brought into HQ to meet Anderson.

Recruiting

Paramedic Aaron Pol worked on a project with LabelInnovation.com to produce day planners for every high school student in Ottawa. The Future recruits planners include generic information about Paramedicine and will be distributed to tens of thousands of young adults. Aaron Pol | Director of Public Events (2012)

44 | Year in Review 2012 | OttawaParamedics.ca OttawaParamedics.ca | Year in Review 2012 | 45 | SANTA PARADE | | volunteer list | SANTA PARADE volunteer list Thank you for your time and effort! January June September Judd Owens, Heather Brown. Cassie Willard, Dominic Emond, John Blythe, Dan Kaplansky. Tyler Graham, Jillian Wade, Candice February Boyle, Ben Ripley, Patrick Lefaivre, October Matthew Smith, Jeff Nelson, Shane Tanis Choiniére-Massé, Andrea Christian Gendron, Rob Wilson, Ben Hoad, Kevin Dubreuil, Peter Per- Maclean, Steven Dionne, Jessica Jolicoeur, Amanda Walkowiak, Adam ryman, Ashley Murfin, Rob Leduc, Phillips, Shawn Martel, Martin Whiteford, Jonathan Clark, Michel Shannon Leduc, Deanna Schofield, Massé, Warren Brown, John Blythe, Verdon, Ben Deschenes, Louis Phil- Aaron Pol, Donovan Rota, Darryl Kevin Corrigan, Kelly Galerno, lippe Jauvin, Mathieu Paul. Wilton, Sue Noël, Elizabeth Ander- Aaron Pol, Kim Hewton, Paul son, Jordan Mitchell. Levesque. November July Daniel Robin, Mathieu Gagnon, March Stephanie Desrochers, Chantale Kelly Edwards, Bob Davidson, Peter Paul Levesque, Aaron Pol, Ben Joli- Graham, Eric Roy, Dena O’Hara, Perryman, Rob Wilson. coeur, Amber Bean, Krista Gifford. Brent Campbell, Dina Papiccio, August Dom Papiccio, Tanya Cornel, Kate April Breton, Martin Masse, Andrew Dena O’Hara, Francis Pare, Deanna Whyte, Rob Leduc, Shannon Leduc, Donovan Rota, John Rathier, Ben Schofield, Paul Morneau, Robin St. Joseph Neumayer, David Ander- Jolicoeur, Chris Cowan, France Pierre, Breanne Lessard, Cathy Ven- son, Jeremy Doherty, Brian Peters, Lavergne, Peter Perryman, Sue Noël, tura, Faye Proctor, Jennifer Kortko, Michel Verdon, Rob Wilson, Curtis Shane Hoad. Catherine DuPuy, Phil Mallis, Farrell. Brad Ross, Suelana Taha, Morgan May Piironen, Kerry Morris, Robert Mal- December Shannon Leduc, Faye Proctor, Kevin lett, Darryl Wilton, Aaron Pol, Keith Sarah Kazaniwsky Corrigan, Kerry Morris, Danielle Buchanan, Julie Belanger, Amy Hopkins, Aaron Pol, Rachel Arm- Secor, Candace Brandauer, Gillian strong, Jennifer Kortko, Amanda Cross, Rosemary Bentely, Amber Hagmann, Rob Wilson, Jill deBoer. Bean, Steven Dionne.

Algonquin Rachel Grant, David Lubberts, Katherine Inniss*, Lindsay Raison, Katherine Embury, Keely Mcna- mara*, Gordon Perolli*, Jeff Sorbil, Kaitlyn Waite, Eddy Scarpazza, Victoria Miller, Markus Brueg- gergosman, Lisa De La Salle, Kyle Sitka, Allison Huckstep**, MaryEl- len Hodgins**, Natasha Pankhurst, Amanda Gaudette, Elanor Welmers, Shane Huntrods, Roberto Rivera, Patrick Freeman-Harkin, Erick Fischer, Emily Ginn, Sam Paquette, Colin Wheaton, Jacob Frech-Pecore. La Cité Kevin Séguin, Guylain Bellemare, Marjolaine Hervieux, Yanick Thériault, Chris Forest-Desjardins, Jonathan Lafléche, Stéphane Leg- endre, Mathieu Bergeron, Pierre- Philippe Lachapelle, Scott Donais, Jillian Guilbeault, Amelie Poulin*, Guillame Lafleur, Christian Bolduc, Marilou Charlebois, Devon Smith. Medvent Danny Cooper, Danielo Orozio, Melissa Dover-Hales, Ansh Goyal, Kris Crawford, Brad Smith, Kris Kurs, James Roach, Steven Boswell*, Liam Vanderbraak.

*volunteered for multiple events **lead organizer for event

48 | Year in Review 2012 | OttawaParamedics.ca 300 March Road (4th Floor) Ottawa, ON K2K 2E2 OttawaParamedics.ca