With the New Year...

...comes the usual wishes of happiness and prosperity and we do honestly wish these for you and your loved ones. A new year also brings a time to review where we have been and where we are going.

The MPHG has seen incredible growth in 2007!!! We went from a simple idea (from a discussion in London, Ontario) to having actual members and being on the verge of being fully uniformed. We've hosted our first fundraiser - the Annual Golf Tournament to be held in different areas of the province every May. Our second fundraiser is an ongoing project - the EMS activity books that were designed in Manitoba. We are currently having our third fundraiser - Super Bowl pool tickets. There has been great support from organizations for our project - thank you to all of you:

• Golf Tourney Sponsors (too many to name)
• MGEU
• PPAW
• IRHA
• WFPS
• MAHCP
• UPM Discussion Board

I didn't mention the Paramedic Association of Manitoba Executive Board at all in the list as their support for our efforts have been tremendous and must be singled out. They believed in the concept and allowed the change in the golf tournament to provide us initial funding. Eric has helped us meet with the EMS Managers to explain to them what we were trying to do and get their help. Thank you very much for all the support.

As described in previous blogs, we have a group of individuals that have stepped forward to become initial guard members. They have been attending drill, marching, and fundraising to make this happen. It is very rewarding to see others believe in MPHG as strongly as we do. The MPHG is very fortunate to have a trumpeter (or is bugler the proper term?). Our group has shown dedication and compassion that will show when dealing with the public.

So where does 2008 bring MPHG? First, we hope that all of our public appearances are for PR purposes and not for any LODD. We wish all EMS practitioners a safe year and that everyone gets to return to their loved ones at the end of the shift. As society ages, we realize that we are likely to attend funerals for retirees if there is a request for our attendance. The PAM AGM is coming (unfortunately we will not be in possession of our dress uniforms by then). The Golf Tournament is coming. EMS Week is coming. We are hoping to have more MPHG members join our team. As you can see, we will be busy. All this takes money and that's where everyone can help. Fundraising must continue to allow MPHG to operate. Please support our efforts as we are trying to support our profession.

On behalf of the entire MPHG team, best wishes for the New Year.

Welcome new members!

Seeing as it is Christmas time, it's time that the MPHG Executive Board gave itself an early gift. Actually, it's not only a gift for the Exec Board, but also for the committed members of our profession who have shown interest and dedication to our cause. On behalf of the Exec Board, I would like to welcome/introduce our inaugural members:

Al Watson, Kevin Martin, Lisa Trochim, Mike Spence, and Wade Fisher.

As you can see, we only have 5 new members and 4 Exec team members making the MPHG a nine member unit (for now). It is below the original plan of 10 t0 12 members for January 2008 however the dedication shown by this group will fill in the gaps until new members can be identified. Our goal for MPHG membership continues to be 20 to 24 in the next couple of years. The biggest impact on our ability to reach this goal is commitment level by applicants and our finances. Speaking about finances - we are fundraising by selling Super Bowl Pool tickets. All 9 members of MPHG have tickets for sale ($2/ticket). Get them while they're hot.

We are in the process of waiting for our second fitting for all 9 members of MPHG - we are hoping to unveil our uniformed Honour Guard at the PAM AGM on January 12. See you then.

Marc

A day for Rememberance

Here we are, facing Remembrance Day this weekend. As more and more people simply look at this as a day off; it's time to remember Remembrance Day. Originally called Armistice Day, the date of November 11 was selected to remember the final silencing of the guns of the First World War - 1100 hrs, 11/11/1918. This time of remembrance continues every year with events across Canada occurring at 1100 hrs on November 11.

Most Canadians have been lucky to not experience war. We have been blessed as Canadians; we have not experienced war on our own soil in over 100 years. However, we have lived through the climate of war. Canadians have fought in both World Wars, Korea, Vietnam, Gulf War, and the current conflict in Afghanistan. As peacekeepers, our military has been exposed to conflicts when deployed across the world. During conflicts, the loss of life is inevitable. Remembrance Day is our way to remember our fellow Canadians who have lost their lives during conflicts. Among the members of the Canadian Forces lost since last year's Remembrance Day, Master Corporal Christian Duchesne of 5th Field Ambulance, based in Valcartier, Quebec lost his life during a battle near Kandahar, Afghanistan. Master Corporal Duchesne was a Paramedic. The Canadian Forces and many of Canada's EMS agencies have partnered to provide military medics experience on ambulances while at home in Canada. This program has fostered relationships between Canada's military and civilian Paramedics. Loss of a military medic is a loss for all Paramedics.

This Remembrance Day, I suggest attending one of the many services occurring (especially if you never have been to one). Even if you're on duty and not on a call, your attendance can be done quietly in the back so you can respond to calls if needed. What a great sight it would be if all Paramedics wore poppies on Remembrance Day. Honour those that have fallen - honour our past. Go to remember Master Corporal Duchesne. Go to remember all of the CF members who have died in the last year. Go to remember all the Canadians that have died in war. Go to remember that their sacrifice continues to protect our security. Go to remember why we have Remembrance Day.

Paramedic Memorial; recognition of the Silent Heroes.

I would like to take the opportunity to publicly thank the Paramedic Association of Manitoba (PAM) and its chairman, Mr. Eric Glass, for all their hard work regarding the Manitoba Government's efforts to establish memorials for fallen workers.

When first announced, Paramedics were again forgotten and simply lumped in with "other workers". Don't get me wrong, all workers who die during the course of their duties is a trajedy and should be recognized - my point is the the role of Paramedics encountering the same situations and dangers as the other emergency services (see Police and Firefighters) was not being recognized. ALL emergency services encounter dangerous and unpredictable situations, drive under stressful situations (lights and sirens) every day, enter someone's home when that person is in a crisis, respond to calls for assistance for anyone/anywhere, get exposed to potentially toxic smoke from providing agency support at fire incidents, face violence, and are each other's support in time of chaos. These realities should make Paramedics, Police, and Firefighters equal when consideration for memorials occur. Unfortunately, the Manitoba Government did not see this at first.

It's unfortunate that the public doesn't always see it that way either. I believe it's part of a bigger issue of how we raise our children (playing cops and robbers, playing with fire trucks, anything medical is doctor/nurse play) and how Paramedics are not in the media. This can be the result of a couple of factors; we simply are not at a scene long enough for the media (cameras) to capture our "story", we don't have media releases about what we do everyday, and we cannot place a dollar value on our work (how much is a life worth? - we hear about $500,000 fires or multi million $ drug busts but how much for the 2o something year old killed in a MVC?). It is truly impossible to place a value on a human life as the experiences we bring to each other are truly priceless.

That is the role of a Paramedic. Silently, keeping a low profile, saving what is truly priceless - someone's family and friend. Our interventions make life and death changes. This role in emergency services is unique and should not be less valued then a Police Officer or Firefighter. Thanks to PAM, the Manitoba Government now understands. Now, there is recognition of the silent heroes - Paramedics.

If you haven't seen the PAM presentation, check it out here

Hey, we're charitable!!

Great news to share with all of you that follow our blog and we believe it's good enough to share!

For those of you in Mb EMS long enough, you'll remember the name InterAct. In the 1990's, this group of dedicated medics (and former medics) organized a yearly conference that brought in guest speakers from across North America. I am priviledged to say that I had attended multiple conferences and always had a great time. More recently, you may have heard (or been lucky enough to see) the InterAct's group efforts to restore a 1960's vintage ambulance for PR use.

Anyway, this group had established charitable status for their projects. The InterAct charitable fund has partnered with PAM in order to manage the charity. This partnership has been created with InterAct specifically identifying that they would like to assist the MPHG efforts. It is our understanding all of the legalities have been worked out and the transfer of the charity to PAM has been finalized.

So, know of anyone looking to support a charitable group? We may be the answer.

Later,

Marc

A challenge from Gimli

I would like to share the following email I recieved this week -

I recieved a phone call from Gimli ambulance in the Interlake. These paramedics have put out a local challenge in there own station to raise funds to sponsor an Honour Guard Uniform today they have raised $600 toward their goal, and would like to extend the challenge to other stations to do the same.

The reaction to the development of the MPHG has been very positive. As a member of the inaugural Executive, I would like to thank everyone who has been of assistance in getting this project off the ground. As you all know, it takes money to purchase the dress uniforms (approx. $1000) and to arrange travel when the need arises. So far, we have received financial donations from unions (MGEU, PPAW, and MAHCP), employers (IRHA, WFPS), and other agencies (PAM, Mb EMS Discussion Board, and private citizens).

I believe the grassroots level support we are getting is exactly what will keep this project alive and well. The MPHG is about giving the opportunity for Manitoba EMS providers to represent themselves professionally at formal events. There was never any doubt that we are a professional group; now we have the means to show it. As you saw in Diane's blog (below - Our first meeting), the reaction from the inaugural applicants for the MPHG has been uplifting. We have representation from many RHA's making the MPHG truly Manitoba's.

As we are busy outfitting and beginning practicing our drill, the funds must continue to come in. Ideas like Gimli's are fantastic. Or, you can approach your EMS Director and ask them to support our activities. After all, we are representing all of us.

Our first meeting ….

On Oct 1st at 20:00 hrs, the inaugural MPHG applicants met for the first time. All the paramedics that applied to the Honour Guard were invited to a meet and greet at the Macdonald’s Ambulance station in Oak Bluff. Everyone had an opportunity to meet each other from other stations from all across Manitoba. We have some good representation from different regions; as far north as Churchill, as far south as Steinbach, furthest east to Lac Du Bonnet, and to the west as far as Swan Lake.

Who we are, and how we were formed was explained along with some protocols, and finally the dress uniform was unveiled, and for the first time these applicants got a sneak preview of what could be in store for them. I was excited to meet them all, and I definitely got the impression from them that they also were just as excited as we are to be part of the new Manitoba Paramedic Honour Guard. We truly believe that Manitoba EMS can be represented with Honour in Manitoba. EMS has taken a back seat on a lot of issues in our own province, but not this time. I believe we have the heart, the hard work it takes and the dedication to make this work.

Now it’s time for our Drill Sergeant Jeff Hurshman to come in. The first ever drill practice is scheduled for mid October. So for those of you that applied, wear something comfortable, bring your boots and…..see you all soon.


Diane Findlay

Meeting with EMS Managers

As identified on our home page of the website, MPHG met with Manitoba's EMS Managers to introduce ourselves. Ms. Diane Findlay and I were invited to the meeting after PAM Chairperson's, Mr. Eric Glass, suggestion. Thank you Eric for being the liaison for our meeting and thank you to Mr. Ken Gurba, chairperson of the EMS Managers committee, and all the EMS Managers for accepting us. We look forward to being able to work with this group.

Diane and I felt it was important to have all the EMS Managers on board with our efforts. We see the MPHG as a service to assist the EMS Managers. In devastating times of LODD, these managers could be overwhelmed with operational issues. We see MPHG assisting in the memorial and liaison with the family about how to proceed. Our efforts would be in conjunction with the affected service to make their grieving / honouring of a fallen comrade easier.

The MPHG can also assist services in providing a Honour Guard for formal / celebratory events. An example we used was for a station opening. Other events can be EMS Week activities or general PR events. Obviously, we cannot make every event and we must be aware of not over burdening our newly created group while trying to maximize the visibility of an Honour Guard representing Paramedics.

On a different note, the closing date for applications for membership into the MPHG has passed. Thank you to all the individuals who have shown interest - whether you applied or not. The amount of interest for this project has been amazing and we look forward to working with you while representing our amazing profession.

See you later,

Marc

Honouring the fallen of September 11

It has been 6 years, but we shall never forget the silent heroes that lost their lives on the day that changed the way North America does business. Our condolences go to the families of the fallen on this terrible anniversary.


EMT-D Mario Santoro
Age:
Date of Death: September 11, 2001
New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY

EMT-D Keith Fairben
Age:
Date of Death: September 11, 2001
New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY

EMT-D David Marc Sullins
Age: 30
Date of Death: September 11, 2001
Cabrini Hospital, New York, NY


EMT-D Mark Schwartz
Age: 50
Date of Death: September 11, 2001
Hunter Ambulance, Inwood, NY

Paramedic Carlos Lillo
Age: 37
Date of Death: September 11, 2001
Fire Department, City of New York, New York, NY


Paramedic Ricardo Quinn
Age: 40
Date of Death: September 11, 2001
Fire Department, City of New York, New York, NY

EMT Yamel Merino
Age: 24
Date of Death: September 11, 2001
Metro Care Ambulance, New York, NY


EMT-D Richard Rodriguez
Age: 30
Date of Death: September 11, 2001
Port Authority of NY & NJ Police, Jersey City, NJ


Police Officer/EMT-I Vincent Danz
Age: 37
Date of Death: September 11, 2001
NYC Police Department, New York, NY


Police Officer/EMT John D'Allara
Age: 47
Date of Death: September 11, 2001
NYC Police Department, New York, NY


EMT-D Glenn Jonathan Winuk
Age: 40
Date of Death: September 11, 2001
Jericho Fire Department, Jericho, Long Island, NY

EMT-D Clive "Ian" Thompson
Age: 43
Date of Death: September 11, 2001
Summit Volunteer First Aid Squad, Summit, NJ

Welcome to our Blog

The Manitoba Paramedic Honour Guard (MPHG) Board is proud to have come to be able to offer Manitoba Paramedics representation and services when needed. The concept of a province wide HG came after attending the Line of Duty Death (LODD) memorials in Kimberly, B.C. and in Strathclair, Ontario. At these events, representation from Manitoba was quite limited and was without a Paramedic HG. With the exception of the Winnipeg Paramedics, the Manitoba Paramedics did not have dress uniforms.

The concept of creating an HG was first discussed by Diane Findlay (IRHA), Stan Stone (WFPS), and Marc Savard (WFPS) while in Ontario for the Patterson LODD memorial. Upon return to Manitoba, the Paramedic Association of Manitoba (PAM) was approached about the concept. Working through the summer, Diane and Marc with the addition of Lorne Harley (IRHA) became the inaugural board for MPHG.

The MPHG is not only looking to represent Paramedics for events, but is also addressing some issues for Manitoba's Paramedics. Very soon, our website's merchandise page will have shirts and dress uniforms for sale. We have taken the opportunity to develop a new crest that is not service specific so when someone buys a shirt or dress uniform, it is theirs.

Take care,

Marc