Page 38 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 105

38 Issue #105 October 2021 www.sportsenergynews.com

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911 Checking In with Our First Responders

Cornwall Fire Services

with Chief Jeff Weber

What’s the worst sound you can imagine?
Is it a baby crying or the sound of a fork scraping across a plate?
For me, it might just be the sound of a smoke alarm when the battery is dying – that relentless chirping, day and night is so
annoying. Sometimes, it’s so annoying that folks are tempted to just pull the battery out.
If there’s one message you take away from Fire Prevention Week 2021, it’s this – your life, and your family’s life, are worth the
effort it takes to replace that battery.
If you hear a chirp, make a change: replace the battery in the chirping smoke alarm, and test the other alarms in your house.
If you hear a beep, get on your feet: a continued set of three loud beeps means your alarm has detected smoke or fire. Get out, call 911, and stay out.
The system is the same for carbon monoxide alarms: four loud beeps mean carbon monoxide is present in your home – that means it’s time to get out and
call 911. A single chirp every 30 or 60 seconds means the battery is low and needs replacement.
Fire Prevention Week is October 3 to 9, 2021. Be your family’s hero by completing these tasks – spread them out over the course of the week or get them
done in one evening!
1. Test all the smoke alarms in your home. If they’re more than 10 years old, replace them. If you’re missing an alarm outside of bedrooms, or on one of
the stories of your home, install a new one.
2. Teach young children what the sounds mean – do they know the difference between a chirp and a beep-beep-beep?
3. Practice your escape: if the alarm goes off, how is each family member getting out of your home? Who will be responsible for infants or folks with low
mobility?
4. Tackle clutter: are hallways free from clutter? Is there furniture or debris that could make it more difficult to get out quickly?
5. If there’s a fuel-burning appliance in your home, you need a carbon monoxide alarm. If you don’t have one yet, install one. If you already have one in
place, test it.
Find more fire prevention tips at www.Cornwall.ca/prevention .

Cornwall SDG Paramedic Services

By Andre Turbide - Primary Care Paramedic

The number of 911 calls are rising. Over the past five years, Cornwall SDG paramedics have seen about 2.8% more
calls a year. Community paramedicine programs are helping to reduce that burden. They direct patients to care
beyond 911 calls and emergency departments.

Community paramedics monitor the independence and health of their patients. Their goal is to help reduce admission or readmission to
hospital, and transportation to emergency departments. The Community Paramedic Program model currently operates as a fusion
They typically focus on seniors and clients with chronic of both emergency 911 response and Community Paramedicine. It is funded
diseases, like respiratory, cardiovascular, metabolic, and through the Ministry of Health and operates in partnership with the Cornwall
psychiatric disorders. Community Hospital, the Champlain HCCSS, the Eastern Ontario Health

Community paramedics are proactive and collaborative. They use all the Unit, and other local health care organizations.
tools at their disposal: education, medical intervention, and assessments Since its inception in 2015, the Cornwall Community Paramedic Program
(which include vital signs, medication compliance, and overall well-being). has forged ahead to meet the needs of our ever-changing community. We
continue to develop this program to bridge healthcare gaps between clients
Community paramedics effectively communicate and collaborate with the
patient, family, physicians, and care coordinators. Clients of the program and their primary care practitioners. Since the launch of this program, we
have noted a decrease in the amount of 911 activations for the same health
are identified by paramedics during regular 911 calls. Referrals also come
through the Champlain Home and Community Care Support Services, ailments from our clients, have seen a decrease in hospital admissions of
hospital discharges, medical clinics, doctors, and nurse practitioners in our these patients, allowing residents more time in their home, and have seen
fewer visits to the patients’ primary care physician.
community.