A10- The Oakville Beaver, W e d n e s d a y N o v e m b e r 14, 2001 Emergency personnel honoured for efforts By Howard Mozel O A K V IL L E B E A V E R S T A F F Public forum on emergency planning Halton Region is holding a public education forum on Em ergency Planning on Wed. Nov. 21. The forum is from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Council Cham bers, Halton Regional Centre, 1151 Bronte Rd., Oakville. The forum will discuss the resources, partnerships and protocols Halton Region has put in place in the event of an emergency. Paramedics are often on the receiv ing end of gratitude from those whose lives they touch but on Monday this appreciation was formally recognized with a special ceremony. A Celebration of Life acknowledged members of Halton Region's Emergency Medical Services - plus other "first responders" and residents who rose to the occasion - for their con tributions to saving life and limb. Featured were area dignitaries as well as two area residents for whom EMS personnel were the literal difference between life and death. "In Halton, we have an exceptional team of paramedics, police officers and firefighters," said Regional Chair Joyce Savoline. "Each day they take extraor dinary risks to ensure the health and safety of the Halton community. We value their talents, not just today, but every day." Earlier in the day, about 100 mem bers of the public participated in a "CPR blitz" and were certified at a Heart Saver level in accordance with Heart and Stroke Foundation Standards. Among them was Ward 1 Councillor Kevin Flynn. "CPR is such a critical skill," said Savoline. Halton Medical Officer of Health Dr. Robert Nosal said this initiative is very important if more lives are to be saved. After all, he explained only four out of every 100 cardiac arrest victims are ever discharged from hospital. Dr. Nosal, who thanked the para medics who volunteered their time to teach CPR on Monday, also praised the work of area police and firefighters for their efforts. As for the paramedics, explained Halton EMS Director Jim King, they must be also well versed in a wide vari ety of skills in addition to CPR to han dle calls that encompass heart attacks and the delivering of babies to diabetic and allergic reactions and spinal injuries. The latter training proved to be a godsend for Burlington resident Craig Gill who, on Thanksgiving, sustained a fall while at a friend's house and suf fered a huge gash on his head and broke his neck at the fifth and sixth vertebra. Gill had been surrounded and hugged by a group of exuberant children then lost his balance and struck his skull on some wainscoting. Because o f the quick thinking of those who responded to the call, Gill's doctor said that not only was his life saved, but permanent paralysis was avoided too. "You have given me a whole new meaning of Thanksgiving," an emotion al Gill told the assembled paramedics. "Precautions and professionalism made a major difference on my life." Equally grateful was Burlington's Alex Cousins who, last August, was Basic needs come first (Continued from page A7) Riziero \w \o W Oakville Beaver Brian Alldridge* Michael Wright, Doug Hodge, Alex Cousins, Captain Peter Myers and Chris Martin . Cousins suffered a cardiac arrest and was saved by a paramedic crew. enjoying lunch after a round of golf at deep, deep trouble," he said. Millcroft when he suffered a cardiac On Aug. 16, 2000 Halton Region arrest. , assumed full responsibility for deliver A fast-acting off-duty Burlington ing ambulance services after it was firefighter began CPR as 911 was downloaded by the province in 1997. called, after which firefighters and para The result was the recruitm ent of medics took over and were rewarded advanced and primary care paramedics with a pulse. Cousins was transported to was rewarded with the hiring of highly Joseph Brant Hospital where he skilled men and women, a beefed-up regained consciousness two days later. budget and improved equipment. "I knew nothing about what hap Now, there is at least one advanced pened in between," he said. care paramedic - who provide a level of Once the blanks were filled in, how care identical to that found in hospital ever, Cousins realized the debt of grati emergency rooms - aboard every ambu tude he owed those paramedics and fire lance. The service is provided to fighters, who saved his life. approximately 360,000 Halton resi "Without them, I was told I had only dents and covers an area of -959 square a few seconds to go before I was in kilometres. and priority. W ho knows, they might even stop some from joining the A1 Qaeda cause! Intelligence and monetary and diplomatic measures against terror ism will continue. Attempts to find the architects of the September 11 plan, and bring them to an interna tional court, and efforts at peace building and formation of a new government, must go on. Studies aimed at understanding conditions that allowed the sick ideas of the terrorists to spread must be pursued. All these will be in vain if the urgent basic needs of our fellow human beings in Afghanistan and the neighbouring refugee camps are not immediately addressed. BARBARA BIRKETT, M.D. Oakville Past President, Physicians fo r Global Survival (Canada) (Canadian Affiliate o f International Physicians fo r the Prevention o f Nuclear War LOOK FOR ···.......................................... -w No Payments for 90 days C H R IS T M A S S A L E 4 P age Flyer in Party Packagers8 START YOUR STOCKING The Gold Check Certification Program Takes The Guess-Work Out Of Buying fl Pre-Owned Cor. Is th a t used car a good buy or should you say. "Good-Bye?" Be sure! Lo o k fo r the gold check! 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