Page 38 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 103

38 Issue #103 August 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 Fire Services

with Chief Jeff Weber

If you or a young person in your life is headed to college or university this fall, you know there is a lot to think about. In between
choosing classes, learning about the new campus, and packing for home away from home, there is also fire safety in student
housing or an apartment to consider.
If moving into a dorm, remember:
Never disable a smoke alarm or other fire protection equipment. If the smoke alarm is beeping due to low battery, contact the
landlord or resident advisor. Never leave it without batteries for an extended length of time.
Take every alarm seriously. Participate in fire drills and practice escape routes and evacuation plans.
Plan escape routes: it’s important to know two ways out of every room, if possible. The first way out would be the door, while the alternate escape could
be a window that can be exited safely. Make sure the designated escape routes are accessible and free of clutter.
Be aware of dorm fire safety rules. There should never be any open flames in a dorm room, including candles and smoking.
Save essential numbers in your phone, including campus safety and local police numbers.
Cooking is the number one cause of home fires in Ontario. If your dorm has cooking facilities, follow these basic fire safety rules:
A stovetop fire can start in a flash, so stay in the kitchen when something is cooking on the stove.
Keep tea towels, wooden or plastic spoons, and paper towels away from the stove.

Keep a pot lid near the stove to smother flames if a fire starts in a pot.
The team at Cornwall Fire Services and I wish students beginning this exciting new chapter all the best. Visit www.KnowFire.ca for more information.
Have fun and stay safe!

Cornwall SDG Paramedic Services

By Bill Lister, Chief

External Violence Against Paramedics
Did you know that the City of Cornwall and the Counties of Stormont Dundas and Glengarry are served by one shared
ambulance service provider? This service is proud of its increasing diversity, representative of our community. Approximately 17,000
calls for help are answered annually with kind, compassionate, and talented paramedics.
Paramedics are often exposed to violence, and this and respect. It is common to see posters or hear preambles on the phone that
represents a public health issue. Unfortunately, paramedics abusive behavior will not be tolerated and will result in denial of service.
a re not the only health care professionals who must work amidst Unfortunately, paramedics can’t just leave, and they endure these unacceptable
the misconception that violence towards them is ‘part of the job’. But a behaviors over again. To criminalize it is an ‘after the fact’ response and does
paramedic’s workplace is any place that we all work, live, and play. They are not address removing the exposure of violence in the workplace.
guests in your homes, workplaces, bars, construction sites, and roadways but Paramedics want to help and are unable to do so when violent tendencies are
should expect to work within a respectful and safe environment.
directed towards them. Poor behavior causes delays in treatment, ties up the
Most violence paramedics face is of a verbal nature, followed closely by some courts, and results in lost time at work, costing all of us.
form of physical assault. Contributing factors leading to this violence are Please remember to treat paramedics with respect. They have a tough job to do,
intoxicants, mental health issues, and cognitive impairment, however, none of
in very challenging environments. Many things are out of their control, and they
these are excuses. Every paramedic can tell stories of being intentionally and strive to help families navigate some of the most stressful times in their lives.
inappropriately touched, swore at, being called names, etc., because of their
gender, race, perceived sexual orientation, the uniform, or the context of the Public awareness and public advocacy towards safe work environments is a step
situation. in the right direction. Paramedics thank you in advance for your understanding
and appreciate every effort made so paramedics can safely do the best they can
Workplace polices are designed to ensure employees are treated with dignity for each of us.