Page 44 - IssueNo100a

44 Issue #100 May 2021 www.sportsenergynews.com

Cakes & MORE ...Simply Delicious!
• Custom Cakes
• Fresh Baked Goods
• Sandwich & Dessert Platters
• Don’t forget our lunches to go!
EASTCOURT MALL

2nd Street, Cornwall • 613-936-6069

911 Checking In with Our First Responders

Cornwall SDG Paramedic Services

By Dave Carse

In A Heartbeat
For over a year now, the industry sector has been forced to adapt and grow in order to conform to the peculiar
reality of the pandemic. Health care systems have been strained beyond capacity and paramedic services are
finding a unique opportunity to demonstrate their ability to evolve to the changing demands. Cornwall SDG Paramedic Services
is no exception.
In 2015, we began our Community Paramedicine All this is happening at the same time that we are seeing an increased
program, focusing on proactively visiting high-risk demand for 911 service. Our team of 108 paramedics responded to 15,000
individuals and frequent 911 users, reducing the need for 911 calls last year. The pandemic has put staff at increased risk of illness
them to go the hospital. This program also tests for COVID-19 at long- and injury (both physical and mental).
term care facilities, retirement residences, congregate living areas, and in Paramedics screen every patient they contact for COVID- related symptoms,
private residences for people in isolation. and all “positive” screens require enhanced protective equipment. The
Weekly, the Community Paramedicine program averages about 500 (yes, standard PPE includes nitrile gloves (often two pairs), a mask or N95
five hundred!) COVID swab tests. If you haven’t experienced a nasal swab respirator, glasses and/or face shield, and a plastic gown. This equipment
yet, it’s essentially a long, thin Q-Tip that enters your nose, and seems to is hot, sweaty, cumbersome, and adds a myriad of challenges to each call.
tickle your brain - unpleasant, but not painful. We ask, should you require our assistance, that you answer our questions
In cooperation with the Eastern Ontario Health Unit, we began deploying honestly, give us distance, and allow us time to apply these safety items.
vaccination teams in January. Over 7,000 residents and staff in long-term
care facilities and retirement homes are now fully protected. Because of Despite these challenges, we continue to seek ways to better support you.
increased supply we are now vaccinating about 4,500 residents weekly at New programs in development include a palliative care initiative to better
three fixed sites (Cornwall, Winchester, and Alexandria), as well as offering aid in end-of-life care, IV training, and new documentation software (and
vaccines to congregate living sites, shut-ins, and other at-risk individuals. hardware).
In these settings, paramedics pre-screen, prepare and administer vaccines, In these bizarre times, your paramedics remind you to stay safe, keep
provide documentation and monitoring, and treat any recipient with your distance, wash your hands, cover your mouth, and nose, and GET
adverse effects (to date, ALL have been minor and rare). VACCINATED!

Cornwall Fire Services

with Chief Jeff Weber

Cottages, cabins, camps – these are all synonymous with summer fun. But going on vacation does not
reduce your responsibility to prevent fires. When you head to the cottage or cabin, or to the campsite
this year, keep these safety guidelines in mind:
• Just like your home, your cottage or cabin must have working smoke alarms on every storey and
outside sleeping areas. It’s the law. Pack a smoke alarm with fresh batteries when heading to a hunting
camp or cabin.
• Let the ashes in your woodstove or fireplace cool before emptying them into a metal container with a tight-fitting lid.
Store the container outside.
• Make sure the roof is clean and there are no overhanging branches. Clear brush and debris from around the building.

• Ensure that all chimneys cleaned and inspected yearly. A qualified service technician should inspect all heating
systems annually.
• Make sure the entrance to your property has a clearly visible sign indicating the property number.
• Be aware of any regulations in your cottage’s jurisdiction, including open air burning by-laws.
On behalf of the team at Cornwall Fire Services, I would like to wish you a fun, safe summer.