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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1996-11-20, Page 95.718% 5 yrs as of October 28/96 Best GIC Rate INVESTMENTS 524-2773 Goderlch 1-800-265-5503 LIVING / AIR Let the LIVING AIR XL-15 Put the Power of a Thunderstorm in your Home or Office This revolutionary air purification system is so remarkable it must be seen to be believed. Just plug it in, it's portable, and see what happens to pet odors and stale air. If the air in your home or office is less than ideal, you may need Living Air. Call your Independent Living Air Distributor now for details on a free trial. Alicia Deitner (519) 887-6502 How About A Computer For Christmas? - Multimedia packages with educational software - Quality systems with a 2 year warranty - Easy lease to own payment plan - Free delivery and setup Please call from 9-9 Mon. to Sat. for a system quote Huron Video and Sound Steve Blake 887-9434 THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 1996 PAGE 9. Blyth and area gets Emergency First Response Team Ready to respond Volunteers from the Blyth volunteer fire department recently completed an Emergency First Response certification program through the Ministry of Health. Back row, from. left Brad Montgomery, Mike McDonald, Murray Black, Russel Nesbitt, Kevin Warwick, Jim Howson, Captain Frank Wilson, Dave Lee. Second row: Lieut. Vernon Bromley, Mike Moore, Ian Wood, David Sperling, Dick Poore, Clarence Bailie. Front: Deputy Chief Bill Burkholder, Instructor Kent Padfield, Assistant Joanne Weber, Training Co-ordinator Dave Vusich, Assistant Liz Brown, Chief Paul Josling. While Blyth firefighters have been responding to medical emer- gencies, they had concerns that they did not have enough training to deal with many of them in the most efficient manner. Blyth Fire Chief Paul Josling said, "Emergen- cy care is not new to us, we've been doing it for 20 years, but we felt that we were doing calls without the ability to save lives." Josling said, "It was not necessar- ily about what we didn't know, but rather what we're allowed to do in preparing the patient for ambulance transport." With 35 per cent of last year's calls to the department for car acci- dents firefighters obviously felt they could be of greater service doing more than minor first aid. Now, they can remove victims from automobiles, put them onto backboards, splint injuries and bandage wounds. The outcome of other medical emergencies, such as heart attacks, can be improved as well, as a patient can receive treatment while waiting for the ambulance, which is typically 20 minutes away. Dave Vusich, a co-ordinator with the MOH said the First Response Team is particularly beneficial in rural communities. "It does improve a patient's chances," said Josling. "First response in the field is going to By Bonnie Gropp Citizen staff When you're responsible for sav- ing life and limb, you certainly want to be doing the job to the best of your ability — even if that job is on a volunteer basis. Blyth firefighters have recently put in over 30 extra hours in their dedicated service for the well-being of area residents, completing a First Response Team certification pro- gram. Conducted by the Emergen- cy Health Services branch of the Ministry of Health, the goal is to train volunteers in emergency patient care. JEWELLERY INVENTORY _ O BLOWOUT ODiamonds to Go% 1:1 Rings „J Chains [:J Earrings L:1 Giftware _t Nt4:10r AN STETT .,.,..s, , ovo- JEWELLERS MAIN CORNER/CLINTON 482-3901 greatly enhance their chances." He is quick to note, however, that the team is not in competition with ambulance services, but rather works hand in hand. While having a first response team means the fire department is called before the ambulance, Josling warns, that the volunteers can not transport patients. Also, ambulances are equipped with defibrilators. "We can't start a heart. We can manually keep it pumping until the ambu- lance gets there." The Blyth First Response Team is the only one presently in Huron County. In last week's issue of The Citi- zen the cutline for the picture of the Blyth firefighters who had dedicat- ed 20 years to the department, should have stated Captain Frank Wilson. We regret the oversight. Also, Larry Bolger was incorrect- ly identified. Our sincerest apolo- gies to him for the error. Sorry, our mistake While Blyth Area Fire Board covered the cost of the firefighters' salaries for the training, MOH paid for the new equipment, which includes bandages and collars, to an estimated cost of $5,000. While the firefighters used to carry two cylin- ders of oxygen they now carry eight. "That was another benefit of the program. It got us a lot better equipped," said Josling. Also, MOH will continue to upgrade and maintain the oxygen equipment. "This is a tiered response system that will save lives," said Vusich. "First response teams are an inte- gral part of this. Blyth firefighters should be commended for working together to help others." Congratulations Keith Roulston, left, publisher of The North Huron Citizen, presents the 1996 Blyth Citizen of the Year Award to the village's clerk-treasurer John Stewart. Stewart has been involved in many community endeavours including the construction of the new soccer field and as a member of the Lions and the Legion.