Is it safe?

Similar to the transportation is killing us post, is it safe is also a question that should be asked. Recent events make us consider safety and how do we deal with it. My experience is most of us deal with it badly; a fair amount of the poor dealing with safety is systematic problems that put us in harms way. The most recent multiple shooting incidents in Winnipeg and Toronto are great examples - Winnipeg had 6 shot (3 dead) and Toronto had 6 shot (1 dead). There are huge challenges in scenes like these and personal security is one of the biggest.

Think about it, entering a scene where there is a large police presence due to a shooting. You have waited done the street for a bit but now are being waved in by police. Arrive at the front door and simply have police officers pointing toward the house as they are trying to ascertain the situation outside. Going inside, there are multiple police officers assessing the situation with some providing CPR or other assistance to the injured until you arrive. As you are now trying to ascertain what other resources you need, police keep bring more injured to you or try to get you to go help another one. It is important that while the police have assured your safety, the situation could change in a heartbeat - deteriorating to where police may have to draw/fire their weapons (don't forget that if there are 24 police officers with you, there are at least 24 guns in the home).

You are not entering a "controlled environment" that most other health care providers enjoy. These types of situations leads to safety questions - where is the shooter (hopefully police do), unpredictable patients (are they the aggressors or the victims), is the patient carrying a concealed weapon, are there infectious disease concerns (hepatitis, etc)? Meanwhile, the training you recieved is shouting in your mind; be quick to keep your scene time down as patients need surgical intervention (the platinum 10 minutes of the golden hour). That is a lot to think about in addition to your treatment options and protocols. Add which hospital are you transporting to and all of a sudden personal security starts having to fight with other objectives.

Safety is our first consideration but it also needs to be an ongoing concern. There have been incidents where the Paramedics and Police were surprised by a shooter in a home (i.e. Steinbach, Manitoba). Transportation is our biggest killer but as the world is becoming more violent and the shootings aren't only in big U.S. cities anymore, we need to re-evaluate our security issues in order to protect ourselves. Some services in Canada (urban and rural) provide ballistic protection (vests) to Paramedics. Some provide self defense courses. What ever the reviews bring, we need to ensure everyone makes it home at the end of the shift.

EMS Week

I know it seems a long way away, but it is time to start thinking about EMS Week. EMS Week for Manitoba occurs the week after the May long. Our profession is the one that is the least in the public's eye = our efforts need to be stronger. This means everyone shares the responsibility for promoting our great profession.

The honour guard is proud to say that we're now ready. We have our uniforms and already have our first official event booked in May (details will follow in a few weeks). The Paramedic Assn of Mb is continuing it's generousity by hosting its Golf Tournament on May 21 (right in the middle of EMS Week = a one day break to recharge those PR batteries).

I am aware of many EMS providers that promote their profession well. There are the old standby of blood pressures and sugars but really is that what Paramedics are about? We all know it's more then basic skills - it's about providing medical care to patients in need while getting them to the ER. Paramedics start treatment that is continued in the hospital and are a valuable tool to health care; frequently improving the patient's condition before arrival at the ER. We are more then just a means of transport.

I challenge you in making EMS Week a week of promotion. When and if appropriate during patient care, you can speak about what Paramedics in Manitoba offer the citizens and challenges/rewards of being a paramedic. At a public relations event, try not to focus on only tours of ambulances but show off the treatment we provide. Get manikins out and explain procedures. I've heard of some Paramedics using EMS Week as an opportunity to get into classroooms and read to students (great idea).

Speaking of great ideas - why not share them? Email me your ideas and during the next couple of weeks I'll list the ideas on the MPHG website for all to see. Email me at info@mphg.ca. Have a great time planning - now's the time!!