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EMS plays an increasing role in Manitoba

Virden train tracks interrupts service
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On May 26, an ambulance sits with lights flashing, waiting as a potash train creeps by King Street crossing; someone else is waiting too.

In recent years, with ever improving technology and well-trained EMS responders, ambulances have become like emergency rooms on wheels. It is not uncommon to meet paramedics who view their job as a career where they can grow in expertise and levels of service. Now, the service is seeking to become a self-regulating profession, just as the College of Physicians & Surgeons of Manitoba (CPSM) is to medical doctors.

During a week to mark the services of Paramedics in Manitoba, an ambulance stopped in traffic, on its way to answer a call for help was a troubling sight. While paramedics respond with all the speed they safely can muster, and have the right-of-way in traffic, a train is a different story. It cannot get out of the way quickly.

The emergency vehicle was among dozens of vehicles on Virden’s king Street, waiting for the train to clear the crossing. In order to be the first to cross the rail track, the emergency vehicle was sitting in the oncoming traffic lane, behind the rail safety arms.

As the train cleared the tracks, with lights flashing and siren wailing, the ambulance passed through in front of other traffic, on its way to the call.

May 24 to 30 marks Paramedic Services Week 2020 themed, Pandemic: Paramedics on the Front Line. In reality, paramedics are always on the front line and are a critical part of our health-care system, providing patient care from the moment a call for help is made and offering specialized treatments well before arrival at a hospital or emergency department.

CPSM self regulates the medical profession in Manitoba and has done so since 1871.

As Manitoba moves towards self-regulation for the profession of paramedicine, public consultations are currently being held on the practice of paramedicine regulation. More information can be found at: https://reg.gov.mb.ca/home.

 

 

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