25 Mar The OAPC endorses this year’s Paramedic Services Week theme “The Faces of Paramedicine”

The Paramedic Chiefs of Canada (PCC) have announced the theme for this year's Paramedic Services week,  which will take place on May 22nd-28th. The 'Faces of Paramedicine’ week will focus on different specialties within the Paramedic profession and will have the following sub-themes for each weekday: Monday — Communication (9-1-1 Dispatch) Tuesday — Civilian and Community Paramedic Wednesday — Specialties (CBRNE, Marine, Military, Tactical, Critical Care/Air) Thursday — Educators and Research Friday — Support Services (logistics, fleet, procurement, OHS) Saturday — Recognition Day (for all paramedics) More information...

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28 May Be Citizen Ready: Get Prepared – Paramedic Services Week 2021 Blog Series

Natural disasters and emergencies can strike at any time, but if one occurred tomorrow, would you be prepared? As it may take emergency workers some time to reach you, you should be prepared to take care of yourself and your family for a minimum of 72 hours. The Government of Ontario provides excellent emergency preparedness guidelines, which you can access here. Here is a high-level summary of what is recommended: Step 1. Know the risks Although the consequences of various disasters can be similar,...

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27 May Be Citizen Ready: Recognizing the Signs of an Opioid Overdose – Paramedic Services Week 2021 Blog Series

Throughout Canada the misuse of opioids, particularly fentanyl, is a growing public health crisis. In some parts of Ontario, paramedic services are responding to a record-breaking amount of calls related to Opioid overdose. Opioids—like fentanyl, morphine, oxycodone and hydromorphone—are medications that can help relieve pain. They can be legally prescribed or found in different forms illegally i.e. street drugs. For example, Fentanyl and other dangerous substances are being mixed with or disguised as other drugs like heroin, cocaine and ecstasy/MDMA....

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26 May Be Citizen Ready: Learn High-Quality CPR – Paramedic Services Week 2021 Blog Series

***Learn High-Quality, High Performance CPR with this FREE On-Demand Webinar courtesy of ZOLL: To access, complete this short registration form. *** 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...

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25 May Be Citizen Ready: Control the Bleed – Paramedic Services Week 2021 Blog Series

In as little time as it takes to read this page, someone who is severely bleeding can bleed to death. With such a time dependent situation, immediate “Citizen Ready” action can definitively make the difference between life and death. Upwards of 2,400 Canadians bleed to death every year and many may have been preventable with quicker interventions. Many times, the situations that result in severe bleeding happen without warning and tragedy can follow if unprepared. Uncontrolled bleeding is a major cause of preventable...

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