Brampton - As part of Paramedic Week, from May 18 to 24, Peel Regional Paramedics are hosting free CPR and Car Seat Clinics in Brampton and Mississauga. Paramedic Week recognizes the excellence in pre-hospital care paramedics bring to residents 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.
"In an emergency, when most people are panicking, Peel Regional Paramedics are calmly providing their patients with expert pre-hospital care," says Peter Dundas, Director of Peel Regional Paramedic Services. "Their high level of training and commitment improves the health and safety of the Peel community one patient at a time."
Celebrate Paramedic Week by attending or registering for the following:
• EMS Day – Meet paramedics and tour emergency vehicles from services across the GTA on May 18 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Yonge and Dundas Square in Toronto.
• CPR Clinic – Register for free adult CPR training on May 21 from 4 to 7 p.m. in Mississauga or on May 23 from 4 to 7 p.m. in Brampton by calling 905-279-2116, ext. 03.
• Car Seat Clinic – Book an appointment to have a paramedic install or inspect your car seat on May 21 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Mississauga or on May 23 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Brampton by calling 905-279-2116, ext. 08. The clinic is by appointment only.
• Community Day – Meet paramedics and tour an ambulance at Brampton's Heart Lake Conservation Area during the Peel Children's Water Festival on May 24 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
In 2007, Peel Regional Paramedics responded to over 76,000 emergencies and spent over 15,000 hours in Continuing Medical Education to help ensure residents keep receiving the best in pre-hospital care.
"With the large number of calls our paramedics respond to, it's important to use the 911 service for real emergencies only," says Marolyn Morrison, Town of Caledon Mayor and vice-chair of the Emergency Protective Services Committee. "Whether a patient walks into the emergency department or is brought in by paramedics, the one with the more serious, life-threatening injury will be admitted first."
Peel Regional Paramedics also remind motorists to move their vehicles to the right side of the road and stop when an emergency vehicle with lights and sirens on is approaching. Every second spared can help save a life. Ontario legislation also requires residents to move over one lane if they see an emergency vehicle parked on the shoulder of the road.
For more information about Peel Regional Paramedic Services, visit www.peelregion.ca or www.peelparamedics.ca.
The Region of Peel delivers a wide range of programs and services to more than one million citizens every day. This includes ambulance services, public health, long-term care, child care, waste collection, recycling and disposal, water and wastewater services, Regional road construction and maintenance, social assistance and affordable rental housing. Regional Headquarters are located at 10 Peel Centre Dr., Brampton, ON. Phone Number: 905-791-7800.