Cornwall.ca — Cornwall SD&G Emergency Medical Services and Paramedics will celebrate Emergency Medical Services Week from May 19 to 25. 

EMS Week is a special time set aside to honour and recognize the dedication of Paramedics in our community.  Paramedics work diligently everyday to save lives, promote recovery and prevent injuries from getting worse in an emergency.  This week is recognized nationally and promotes Emergency Medical Services and Paramedics as the frontline safety net of Canada’s health care system.

Chief Myles Cassidy has been in the EMS field for over 20 years and is extremely proud of this community’s Paramedics.

“The highly trained Paramedics who serve Cornwall and SD&G respond to disaster scenes, medical emergencies, motor vehicle accidents as well as other emergencies providing everyone with access to quality emergency care,” said Chief Cassidy.  “Appropriate medical care in an out-of-hospital setting dramatically improves the survival and recovery rate of those who experience sudden illness or injury.” 

To ensure quality care, Paramedics engage in thousands of hours of specialized training and continuing education to acquire and enhance their lifesaving skills.

Every day Paramedics in your community go to work prepared to meet the unexpected.  They equip themselves both mentally and physically to deal with the challenges they will face in serving the community and its citizens. 

In 2012, Paramedics in Cornwall and SD&G responded to over 12,000 emergency calls.  Ambulances are constantly moving throughout the city and counties day and night to ensure safe and rapid response to any call for service. 

To meet the growing demands for emergency medical services, much has changed in the past 10 years.  The Public Access Defibrillator program has delivered the CPR and AED training to thousands of citizens in life saving interventions. To date 186 defibrillators have been installed in public places throughout Cornwall and SD&G for use by the public in a medical emergency.

In celebration of Emergency Medical Services Week, everyone is welcome to visit the Cornwall Square onWednesday May 22nd to see equipment and supplies used by Paramedics and take in a demonstration of an Automated External Defibrillator used in public buildings.