BRUCE COUNTY EMS ENHANCES ITS EMERGENCY RESPONSE

  

Bruce County EMS recently enhanced its emergency response capabilities by putting in service two Incident Response Units. 

In 2009 two trailers were purchased and were designed and built locally to supply emergency equipment to major incidents.  

The Incident Response Units have mass casualty incident supplies and will provide medical equipment to treat twenty patients at an incident with multiple patients.

The IRU’s are self sufficient with their own lighting and have oxygen equipment for multiple patients. The trailers also have stored medical supplies that can be used to restock ambulances at major incidents. 

       

Red Lights- Move to the Right

A few minutes, even a few seconds, can make the difference between life and death. So when you hear a siren or see emergency lights, remember to do your part to help make sure emergency vehicles can get to thoses who need help.

Remember to move to the R.I.G.H.T.

React - Respond quickly but calmly. Plan your move.

Initiate - Begin your move to the right. Use your signal. Do not slam on your brakes or pull off suddenly.

Gauge - Remember to safely gauge the distance between your car and the cars around you.

Halt - Stay completely stopped to the right until the emergency vehicle has safely passed. Remember there may be more then one responding.

Tolerate - Emergency personnel only use their lights and sirens when they are needed to offer critical care.



The link "Highway Traffic Act and Emergency Vehicles" provides information about the requirements of drivers in Ontario and their responsibilities when approaching an emergency vehicle on our highways.

OUR PARAMEDICS

Our paramedics are trained to provide emergency patient care and transportation of patients. The existance of E.M.S. has saved many lives and will save many more. The paramedics of Bruce County E.M.S. provide emergency care for medical and trauma patients, oxygen therapy, and patient immobilization.

Our paramedics are certified by a physician to operate a defibrillator, complete blood glucose testing, administer medications including ASA & Nitroglycerin for chest pain, Epinephrine for allergic reactions, Dextrose and Glucagon for diabetic patients and Ventolin for shortness of breath .

Since 2006 Bruce County EMS has been training paramedics to intitiate an intravenous (IV) and to deliver additional medications to our patients.

 

EMS Mission Statement

We, the employees of Bruce County Emergency medical Services are committed to providing compassionate pre-hospital care to the communities we serve through the pursuit of excellence, effective leadership and positive relationships. We will be attentive to our client's needs and will strive to provide continual improvement and effective use of our resources.

 

Bruce County E.M.S. is complimented with a staff of 100 paramedics that provide pre-hospital care to citizens and visitors of Bruce County. Bruce County E.M.S. responds to medical and trauma emergencies with a fleet of 12 ambulances and an supervisor unit.

When to Call 911

Alwyas call EMS if the victim needs immediate medical treatment. To make this decision, ask yourself the following questions:

-Is the victim's condition life-threatening?

-Could the victim's condition worsen and become life-threatening on the way to the hospital?

-Does the vicitm require the skills or equipment of paramedics?

-Could the distance or travel conditions cause a delay in getting the victim to the hospital?

If your answer to any of these questions is "yes" or if your are unsure, it is best to call EMS. Paramedics can begin emergency treatments at the scene and on the way to the hospital and alert the emergency department of your condition en route.

When you call for help, speak calmly and clearly. Give your name, address and phone number; give the location of the victim; and describe the problem. Don't hang up until the dispatcher tells you to, because he or she may need more information or need to give you instructions.