Kenora Rally – Hope in the darkness National Walk

As frontline workers and service providers in EMS, it’s a safe bet that we have all had some experience with youth regarding mental health issues. It is also safe to say that in many parts of our province accessing mental health services can be a lengthy process. This is especially true in the north and even more prevalent in First Nations Communities. In some of these communities there remains a crisis involving our youth, which is illustrated via “cluster suicides.”. “The...

30 July, 2018
Norfolk -Special Events Planning for Friday the 13th

Norfolk County is a large, mainly rural, area of 1600 sq. km. on the north shore of Lake Erie.  With a current population of approximately 62,000 residents, Norfolk County continues to attract new residents and visitors to its pristine beaches, wineries, breweries, restaurants and tourist activities.  Norfolk County EMS provides paramedic services to the entire County, with six ambulance bases, eleven ambulances, three ERV’s, an ESU and a RAV (rapid access vehicle).  In addition, robust community paramedicine program, public access...

09 July, 2018
Community Palliative Care

Earlier this year, leadership representatives from Chatham-Kent EMS, Essex- Windsor EMS, and Lambton County EMS had the fortunate opportunity to present at an interactive workshop with members of the Erie St. Clair LHIN Palliative Care Team at the annual Hospice Palliative Care Ontario Conference in Toronto. The joint  team presented on how the Emergency Medical System (EMS) is engaged as a contributing integrated partner in “community palliative care” in Erie St. Clair (ESC). This service delivery model expands capacity to provide...

25 June, 2018
Paramedics and the Moral Dilemma of Overdose Prevention Sites

Deborah Cooper is Primary Care paramedic with Frontenac Paramedic Services (FPS). In April, Frontenac County Council approved FPS participation in a six-month pilot project to establish an Overdose Prevention Site in Kingston. Much conversation has been generated with the Ontario government’s announcement in January 2018 of the application for overdose prevention sites, similar to safe injection sites [5].  Overdose prevention sites are temporary locations operating for up to six months whereas safe injection sites are permanent locations.  Overdose prevention sites are...

11 June, 2018