Page 4 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 111

4 Issue #111 April 2022 www.sportsenergynews.com

911 Checking In with Our First Responders

Cornwall SDG Paramedic Services

By Wayne Markell, Deputy Chief

“In a Heartbeat” A Season of Growth

With the sap running, snow melting, and ice fading from the St. Lawrence River, spring is in the air,
bringing its long-awaited influx of hope and warmth. Buds will be popping out, soon followed by the first leaves of
the season and the eruption of early spring flowers like the crocus and daffodils, marking the advent of the annual
transition to the growing season.
We have two clearly different approaches at work here at Cornwall SDG Paramedic Services. One that is reactive (our
historical approach), responding to 911 calls for emergency response and one that is much more pro-active (building since
2014), assisting with community-based healthcare to reduce the need for a reliance on the 911/hospital systems. Both are key to success,
and here in our region, both are in a season of growth.
With the continued increase of 911 call volumes over the last decade, the expanded abilities and needs of our Community Paramedicine
(CP) program, augmenting our staffing levels is overdue. We are adding 24 hrs of 911 staffing coverage in 2022 and will continue
reaching for new heights in our CP program as well.
We are very a lucky service. We have some of the best men and women paramedics in the province and therefore were well positioned
to cope with all that the pandemic could throw at us. To say that the resiliency of these remarkable individuals played a role is a huge

Continued on page 6

Cornwall Fire Services

with Deputy Chief Leighton Woods

Time for Spring Cleaning!

The birds are chirping, and the snow is melting — spring is in the air. Now is the best time to do a bit of spring cleaning around
the house. That includes checking your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. They deserve a bit of spring-cleaning attention too.
Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are proven lifesaving devices. Working smoke alarms save lives. However, did you know that
smoke and carbon monoxide alarms have a limited lifespan? Each manufacturer is different, but if you check your alarm there will
be an expiry date. If your alarm has exceeded its expiry date it is time to replace it.
If your alarm is still good, check the power. If the battery can is dead, do so with a fresh one. Make sure the battery is seated properly and test the alarm
with the battery in place. Yes, it will be loud, but that is what you want.
Carbon monoxide alarms are tested by activating the test button on the device. Please make sure you install an alarm near the sleeping areas of your
home. That way, if the alarm goes off, you will hear it when you are most vulnerable, while you’re asleep.
You can also clean your alarms. Spiders and dust can cause nuisance alarms which frustrate the best of us. Using a vacuum, a quick cleaning can be
performed on the alarm providing a more accurate response to smoke.
The Canada Safety Council recommends checking smoke alarms every month. It is also recommended that the power be checked when you change the
clocks. It is a requirement of law that you have smoke alarms in your home. They are there to protect you and your family. Smoke and carbon monoxide
alarms are there to provide you the precious early warning needed to get out safely in case of an emergency. If you do not have smoke or carbon
monoxide alarms in your home, don’t go to sleep tonight until you get them, for your family’s safety.
But why stop with detectors and alarms? It’s still a bit chilly out there, and your home heating system is still working hard. So, while you’re working on
your spring cleaning, it may be time to tackle that furnace room. Service your furnace filter. Keep a one meter (3 feet) clear area around your furnace.
You improve the overall safety of your home. If you have baseboard electrical heaters, vacuum and wipe them down to ensure efficient operation and
reduce the risk of fire. Keep combustibles away from electric baseboard heaters.