Drones have been around for many years, but in the 2010s they began to move from the realm of science fiction into reality. With advances in technology, drones are becoming more prevalent in emergency medical services.
They can be used for a variety of purposes, such as providing surveillance or tracking. Now, drones are likely to become even more prevalent in emergency medical services because of their ability to provide accurate and timely information.
The use of medical drones in emergency medical services has been gaining popularity in recent years, especially in Ontario for the past 3 years. Drones have many advantages over traditional methods, such as providing a flexible and fast response time, reducing the amount of manpower needed, and improving accuracy.
How Drones Can Help Emergency Medical Services in Canada
Emergency medical services (EMS) in Canada have long been reliant on ground-based vehicles and crews to respond to calls. This has posed several challenges, including the need for responders to be available 24/7, the inability to reach some areas quickly, and the difficulty of transporting patients. Drones could help address these issues.
They can provide responders with a fast and efficient means of reaching remote areas, allow them to travel over difficult terrain, and transport patients to hospitals more easily. Three major areas where these drones are helpful in emergency medical services in Canada are discussed below:
Delivery of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs)
Drone delivery of AEDs could be a momentous change for emergency medical services in Canada. It would allow medics to get life-saving equipment to people who need it quickly and easily, no matter where they are located.
This would be a huge improvement over the current system, which can often involve prolonged delays in getting help to people who need it. There are many benefits to using drones for AED delivery. They are quick, efficient, and can reach difficult-to-access areas with ease.
Delivery of Emergency Blood and Blood Products
In Canada, emergency medical services (EMS) are vital for saving lives. However, there are times when blood and blood products are needed urgently but are not readily available. This is where drones can help deliver these products to the required location.
The use of drones for this purpose can speed up the delivery process, as they can travel much faster than a traditional ambulance. They can also bypass traffic congestion and other obstacles, which can help to reduce the amount of time it takes for the products to reach their destination.
They have been used for this purpose in other countries with great success, and there is no reason why they cannot be used in Canada as well. There is already a company that is using drones to deliver emergency blood and blood products in Canada.
Delivery of Rescue Medications
Medical Drones can be used to deliver rescue medications to people who are stranded or injured in remote areas. This can help paramedics to reach those who need help more quickly and easily than would otherwise be possible.
Additionally, the use of drones can help to reduce the cost of providing emergency medical services in Canada too.
Ontario Plans with Drone Regulations to improve emergency medical services
The County of Renfrew Paramedic Service in Ontario, Canada have had permission to operate their drone beyond visual line of sight for emergency medical services for over three years. Recently, the team has begun flight trials with the drone to improve response times and reduce risk.
The trial is being conducted by the Renfrew County Emergency Services department and they are working with the University of Guelph to improve their knowledge and skills in drone technology.
The Cradlepoint cellular technology was integral to the drone’s ability to fly beyond line of sight and stay in the air for extended periods. The technology allowed the drone to communicate with its controller and receive updates on its location, flight path, and other critical data. The cellular connection also allowed the drone to send back video and other information to its controllers.
Why Are Drones Facing a Major Setback In Canada?
Drones are quickly becoming a valuable tool for the emergency medical services, agricultural, forestry, and oil and gas industries. However, because drones are not currently permitted to fly over most of the United States and Canada, operators need to prove that they can safely operate these aircraft over long distances.
To do this, they will need to develop a system that allows drones to communicate with each other and with ground control stations.
In conclusion, although drones offer a variety of potential benefits, both the United States and Canadian aviation authorities have restricted their use to flying within the operator’s line of sight to minimize the risk of interference with commercial aviation.
Did you know that in Canada, it is often required to be certified in Basic Life Support – BLS Certification to work in a healthcare setting?
BLS is a course that provides participants with the skills and knowledge necessary to save lives in a cardiac arrest situation. It is important to be certified in BLS because it can help you save someone’s life.
One of the most important skills that a person can have is knowing how to save a life. That’s why enrolling in a basic life support certification is so important.
In Canada, many different organizations offer these certifications like BizTech College. The certification lasts for a 1-year minimum, and it’s important to renew it regularly. There are many reasons why someone might need to use basic life support skills. Start your life-saving journey now!
In this article, we will discuss why basic life support certification is an important step in becoming a healthcare provider and the advantages of having this certification in Canada.
What are the advantages of having a BLS Certification?
The BLS certification is globally recognized and it offers many advantages to those who have it. In Canada, having a BLS certificate can lead to better job opportunities, higher pay, and a greater sense of security.
Some of the other benefits and advantages of having a BLS certification include:
Helps You Boost Your Confidence
When it comes to emergencies that require life-saving measures such as CPR, having confidence in your abilities is key. Enrolling in a basic life support class can give you that confidence, and help you to act quickly and effectively in an emergency.
In a basic life support class, you will learn about the signs and symptoms of common medical emergencies, how to provide basic first aid, and how to administer CPR.
Keeps You Prepared
One of the most important things that people need to remember is that proper BLS training can help them be better prepared for any kind of situation. This type of training can help people uplift themselves so that they can handle any case, regardless of where they are.
The skills that people learn through BLS training can apply at home, at work, and in other places. When it comes to emergencies, every second counts. That’s why people need to know basic life support skills in case they need to take action before the emergency services respond.
Adds Value To Your Resume
When seeking employment in specific fields, employers often look favourably at applicants who are BLS certified. They prefer individuals who can perform basic first aid, including the ability to administer CPR.
The BLS certification indicates that the individual has received specialized training in how to respond to medical emergencies. This type of certification can be beneficial for those looking for a job in healthcare or emergency services.
In some cases, employers may require that their employees have BLS certification. If you find a job listing that asks for BLS certification, it is best to take the certification course and become certified. The BLS certification shows that you have the knowledge and skills necessary to provide basic life support to patients in a medical emergency.
In conclusion, having a BLS certificate can provide many advantages for those living in Canada. These advantages can include increased job opportunities, higher wages, and better benefits. Obtaining a BLS certificate is a great way to improve your resume and set yourself up for a successful future.
What are the requirements to get a BLS Certification in Ontario?
In Ontario, to get basic life support (BLS) certificate, you must be at least 16 years old and complete a training course that is approved by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.
The course must include instruction in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED), and first aid. You must also pass a written test.
Our instructors teach the essential skills to perform high-quality CPR. Designed for both single-rescuer and team, this course trains in the application of basic life support in pre-hospital and in-facility settings. Upon successful completion, students should be able to:
Recognize a patient in cardiac arrest and life-threatening emergencies
Perform CPR for adults, children, and infants
Efficiently use an automatic external defibrillator (AED)
Handle patient with a foreign body airway obstruction
Provide effective ventilations using a barrier device
After completing the BLS course, a completion card is issued by the Heart & Stroke Foundation. This card is valid for one year from the date of issue. It is accessible by logging onto student account on Heart & Stroke Foundation. Start your life-saving journey now!
Becoming a 911 dispatcher or call taker is exciting and rewarding. You’ll be helping people every day, but the job also comes with challenges such as stress and long shifts.
If you’re planning to start a career in emergency services, joining a 911 dispatcher course can boost your career exponentially.
Before we move to the top reasons to choose the 911 Dispatcher Course at Paramedic Academy, let’s cover the basics of becoming a 911 Dispatcher.
What are the requirements to become a 911 Dispatcher?
To qualify to apply for a 911 operator job, you must meet the following requirements:
Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) OR 18 Years or older (Mature Student)
Have excellent English speaking and writing skills
Effective communication skills
Able to adapt to new technologies
What does the 911 Dispatcher job entail?
A career as a 911 dispatcher is fast-paced, and dispatchers have to go through intensive training. First, let’s look at what a job as a 911 dispatcher entails.
You will be busy: During a shift, you will answer many calls and determine the nature of the emergency. Prioritizing calls based on the nature of the crisis, dispatchers need to keep the caller calm, guiding through CPR or other first-aid actions, if necessary. Depending on the situation, the dispatcher needs to alert the correct emergency service and provide full details to act promptly. Recording information efficiently and accurately is a must.
Unpleasant calls: While most 911 calls are to report a fire, illness, or a crime, dispatchers sometimes can be subject to verbally abusive calls. From listening to distressing information to angry or hostile callers, dispatchers go through a stressful day at work.
On Guard While Listening: As a 911 dispatcher, you need to be attentive and make sure you listen to nuances and background noise. In a hostage or domestic violence situation, listening to contextual clues can help save lives.
5 Reasons to choose Paramedic Academy for 911 dispatcher course
Extensive Training
Our emergency telecommunications program is designed under the guidelines of the International Academies of Emergency Dispatch (IAED). With an emphasis on clinical and psychological aspects of the job, this course covers a variety of modules such as:
First Aid/CPR
Sociology
Stress Management
Emergency Patient Care
Legal issues, regulations, and legislation
Protocol, Procedure, and Policy
Software Training
Hands-on training on ProQA – Emergency Dispatch Technology help students understand the case entry and critical questioning. This software also helps emergency dispatchers determine the appropriate response, guides them to relevant Post-Dispatch and Pre-Arrival Instructions and logs essential case information.
Professional Instruction
Training by active paramedics and dispatchers gives students a peek into the real-world, on-the-job experience and helps them understand the challenges that 911 dispatchers face.
Short Duration
Our emergency telecommunications certificate program is only ten weeks. However, it allows students to enter the emergency services quickly.
Dual Certification
Students enrolled in our emergency telecommunications certificate program will receive certification from IAED and the Paramedic Academy of BizTech College. Which, in fact smoothens your pathway to securing the job right after the completion of the program.
Are you interested in learning more about the program? Our subject matter experts can help you. Click Here to book an appointment today!
Emergency dispatchers are an integral part of the 911 system – they are who the public turns to during some of their most distressing times. This rewarding career allows you to serve your community and help people in need.
Dispatchers are the bridge between the public and emergency services. While they often fly under the radar, it is the dispatcher community who deal with some of the toughest phone calls and situations, especially amidst the Covid-19 pandemic. There is a lot of responsibility resting on the shoulders of emergency dispatchers.
To become a dispatcher, you need skills that allow you to stay calm in stressful situations and communicate clearly with callers and law enforcement. In this BizTalk, our experts have listed 7 skills for 911 dispatchers and why they are important in 2021.
7 must have skills for Emergency Dispatchers:
Technological Skills Today, most call and communication centres use computer programs to receive, record and manage calls. Emergency dispatchers need the technical skills to use computers, software, radios and recording equipment. Specifically, they should understand or take courses to learn computer-aided dispatch (CAD) systems, which automate some dispatch responsibilities so law enforcement can respond faster and have more organized case records. They should also be able to operate multi-line phone systems and emergency alert systems and enter case information into local and national databases.
Directional Skills Dispatchers should be familiar with the jurisdiction they work in, including its major streets and highways, landmarks, buildings, waterways and boundaries. They need to determine where individuals are when receiving descriptions of their location because callers might not have a physical address or know where they are. Emergency dispatchers then need to give clear directions, addresses and instructions to first responders. They should also be able to quickly and easily read maps to find routes, locations and addresses.
Compassion A compassionate dispatcher helps to address the needs of each caller’s unique situation. Being able to deal with various types of situations willingly and compassionately requires a special type of person, and that’s what makes a great dispatcher different from others.
Decision Making Emergency dispatchers should have good judgment skills and the ability to make decisions quickly. They prioritize calls by the level of importance, so they need to recognize the difference between emergencies and non emergencies. Dispatchers also need to quickly evaluate situations and decide which emergency personnel to send to a scene. They should also use their judgment to decide what information from the caller is most important to communicate to responding officers.
Multi-tasker With an influx of calls during peak hours and holidays, a great dispatcher must know how to multitask between receiving a call, locating and dispatching the nearest emergency services. Knowing how to multitask is an essential skill that allows dispatchers to do their job effectively. 9-1-1 dispatchers work in highly demanding environments, and constantly have to be on high alert. But the work they do is invaluable! Dispatchers make a difference within their community and have a significant impact on those they help.
Teamwork Dispatchers should be able to work and collaborate with a variety of professionals, such as law enforcement, firefighters, paramedics and supervisors. They must work as a team to provide a fast and accurate emergency response. Dispatchers should develop supportive and professional relationships with their colleagues and team members so everyone can work effectively to resolve emergencies. They should also take instruction from supervisors, law enforcement and other dispatchers well.
Emotional Control Dispatchers often take calls from very emotional individuals. To calm callers in need so they can gather the necessary information to give responders, dispatchers have to stay composed and control their own emotions. Emotional control is also important when dispatchers are giving pre-arrival instructions during medical emergencies or explaining potentially life-saving procedures. A dispatcher who stays calm is also more likely to communicate clearly and make good decisions.
How To Become An Emergency Dispatcher In Canada?
Paramedic Academy of BizTech college offers one of the best certificate courses in emergency telecommunications in Canada which is only 10 weeks long and offers an assured internship with the Central Communication Ambulance Centre. Moreover, the course comes with other highlights which are mentioned below:
Certification from the International Academics of Emergency Dispatch
Emphasis on Clinical and Psychological Aspects of the Job
Training by active Paramedics and Dispatch Experts
Hands-on Training on PROQA – Emergency Dispatch Technology
There has been a paradigm shift in job requirements after the Covid-19 pandemic around the world. 911 Dispatcher jobs in Canada have increased rapidly due to the after-effects of the pandemic.
911 call takers and dispatchers, government emergency telecommunications service and emergency communications officers are highly in demand in 2021 and it is expected to grow further.
But it’s also true that working in the emergency services industry is not for everyone as it demands discipline, patience and confidence to able to make the right decisions under high-intensity situations.
Emergency telecommunications certificate course at Paramedic Academy of BizTech College will help students develop these skills, preparing them for successful and rewarding careers in a field dedicated to helping people in need.
What Does a 911 Dispatcher Do?
A critical part of emergency services is that the first responders depend on 911 call takers for quick and accurate information. Apart from the quick response, there are other roles that the emergency telecommunication experts or 911 dispatchers have to perform are listed below:
Receive incoming calls on the emergency 9-1-1 line and initiate the appropriate police, ambulance, or fire response.
Receive incoming calls on the non-emergency lines from the public.
Initiate the required response, connect the caller to the requested area, or supply the caller with the appropriate information.
Operate various computerized communication consoles and associated equipment to receive, assess, and relay information from the public to emergency personnel in a courteous, accurate, and expedient manner.
Receive calls via the internal emergency lines and take the appropriate action.
Dispatch and respond to requests from emergency service personnel.
Maintain radio contact with a varying number of officers.
Organize and prioritize numerous calls for emergency service.
What is the eligibility criteria for an Emergency Telecommunications Certificate in Canada?
The admission or eligibility criteria for the 911 dispatcher certificate in Canada are listed below:
Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), or equivalent, or a mature applicant
English: Grade 12 C or U, or equivalent course
What are the job opportunities after an Emergency Telecommunication Certificate?
Jobs in the emergency services industry are on the rise and are expected to rise until 2024, which means qualified professionals are in demand. Positions like emergency dispatchers or crisis managers span across a variety of public and private sectors, including:
According to Job Bank Canada, the average range for Emergency Telecommunicators in Canada is $18.00/hour and $38.00/hour. Salaries in the field will vary depending on the position, but entry-level positions will typically start around $30,000 a year.
Which is the best course for Emergency Telecommunications in Canada?
Paramedic Academy of BizTech college offers one of the best certificate course in emergency telecommunications in Canada which is 10 weeks long and offers an assured internship with the Central Communication Ambulance Centre. Moreover, the course comes with other highlights which are mentioned below:
Certification from the International Academics of Emergency Dispatch
Emphasis on Clinical and Psychological Aspects of the Job
Training by active Paramedics and Dispatch Experts
Hands-on Training on PROQA – Emergency Dispatch Technology
Looking forward to a career in Emergency Telecommunications in Canada? Contact our admissions desk now and be job-ready in 10 weeks with our certificate course in Emergency Telecommunications which is designed under the International Academies of Emergency Dispatch (IAED) guidelines, this certificate will train students in advanced protocols for emergency call-taking.
Basic life support also known as BLS is the basic care that public safety professionals, first-responders and healthcare providers provide to anyone experiencing an obstructed airway, respiratory distress or cardiac arrest.
One of the first component of primary care paramedic program, basic life support training focuses on the knowledge and skills required to handle cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), using automated external defibrillators (AED) and relieving airway obstructions.
Basic Life Support Requirements
Basic life support is offered to patients in critical conditions and in addition to physical skills, BLS providers also need to have problem solving and critical-thinking skills. Working as a part of a team, provider has to ensure the best outcome for the patient.
Although, the program is designed for public safety and healthcare professionals. Understanding the basic medical terminology regarding BLS is an addition to knowledge for anyone planning to start a career as an emergency service provider.
Abdominal Thrusts: A first aid procedure to relieve airway obstructions in children and adults caused by foreign objects.
ACLS:Advanced cardiac life support is preeminent resuscitation course for the recognition and intervention of cardiopulmonary arrest or other cardiovascular emergencies.
Advanced airway: It encompasses various techniques to create a clear pathway by placing intubation tube is in place that leads directly to lungs.
Automated External Defibrillator
AED: Automated external defibrillator, is used to analyze the heart’s rhythm and if necessary, deliver an electrical shock, to help the heart re-establish an effective rhythm.
Agonal breaths: Referred to an abnormal and shallow breathing which may sound like gasping. Usually occurs due to inadequate oxygen intake, it may happen for few breaths or could go on for hours.
Back slaps/chest thrusts: Choking rescue for babies, this maneuver help relieve airway obstructions.
Bag Valve Mask
BVM: Bag valve mask is a self-inflating bag attached to a non breathing valve and then to face mask that conforms to the face. This device is used by 2 or more rescuers to provide ventilation through the mouth and nose.
Cardiac arrest: It is a sudden loss of blood flow resulting from the failure of the heart to pump effectively and may result in abnormal or absent breathing and in death.
Chest recoil: Process of allowing chest wall to return to normal position after each compression.
Compression rate: Rate or speed of compressions delivered over 1 minute.
Cyanosis: Bluish discoloration, of the skin and membranes caused by the deoxygenation. It is divided in two main types – central which happens around the core, lips and tongue and peripheral, only the extremities or fingers.
Defibrillation: Used in emergency medicine, this technique is applied to terminate ventricular fibrillation or pulseless tachycardia. An electrical shock is given to reset the electrical state of the heart.
Esophagus: A muscular tube connecting the throat with the stomach.
Gastric inflammation: Term used for stomach inflating due to delivering rescue breaths to forcefully and/or quickly.
Head tilt/chin lift: Maneuver used to open the airway when no trauma is suspected.
Intubation: The process of inserting an endotracheal tube through the mouth and then into the airway. It is done to assist patient with breathing during anesthesia, severe illness or sedation.
Jaw Thrust
Jaw thrust: Maneuver used to open airway when trauma is suspected. It is a first aid and medical procedure used to prevent tongue from obstructing the upper airways.
Myocardial infarction: Commonly known as a heart attack, happens when blood flow decreases or stops to a part of the heart causing death of heart muscle.
Perfusion: Process of delivery of oxygen and nutrients throughout the body via arteries.
Post cardiac care: Care provided after resuscitation is complete.
Respiratory arrest: It is a condition that exists at any point a person stops breathing or is ineffectively breathing. It may or may not occur at the same time as cardiac arrest.
Trachea: Also known as the windpipe, that connects the larynx to lungs, allowing the passage of air.
