Some N.B. paramedics to get bikes

[five_alarm]

SUSSEX, NB - Paramedics have a new low-tech tool in their effort to provide rapid response - bicycles. A pilot project was launched on Monday using fully-equipped mountain bikes to provide quick response to emergencies. The Sussex project is the first of its kind in the province, said Ian Watson of the Atlantic Health Sciences Corp. "We saw the bike patrol as an opportunity to enhance our community presence in the Sussex area, while also enhancing our response capability, especially for large scale events like the Atlantic Balloon Fiesta,'' said Watson. The bike-patrol paramedics are better able to get to the scene of an incident where there is some congestion, he said. "We are able to optimize our response capability where it's difficult to get a fully-stocked ambulance and a paramedic crew into the area.'' The mountain bikes are on loan from the local RCMP detachment. The paramedics will be equipped with airway equipment, a defibrillator, some medication, as well as first-aid supplies.

Source: Ottawa Citizen (http://www.firehall.com/refer.php?url=http://www.canada.com/ottawa/ottawacitizen/news/story.html?id=bfb44f84-7c40-4e3f-a7a3-eb857650cc7c&linkid=853&parent=news(headlines)&)

[five_alarm]

SAINT JOHN, NB - Paramedics in Saint John will start spending some of their off-duty hours patrolling the city on specially equipped bicycles. The bikes come with things paramedics need when they arrive at the scene of an emergency, such as oxygen, a defibrillator and medications.

Paramedics see it as a way to enhance emergency services, and get closer to the community. It's a new idea to Saint John, but not to the province. Paramedics in Sussex started bike patrols last summer. Ian Watson, who oversees emergency medical services for the Atlantic Health Sciences Corporation, said the practice has worked well in Sussex.

Saint John has recruited nine volunteers for the project. Paramedic Kevin McCormick says the bicycle is a welcome change after driving in an ambulance for a 12-hour shift.

Source: nb.cbc.ca (http://nb.cbc.ca/regional/servlet/View?filename=nb-medics20050725)