REGINA – The Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region recognized National Paramedic Services Week on Tuesday afternoon by showing off some of its paramedics’ skills at EMS Central.
“We just wanted to display what all of our paramedics do. They’re very hardworking people. They do so much for our community,” said Kate James, advanced care paramedic. “Our theme for EMS Week this year is actually ‘Our Family Caring For Yours’.”
Paramedics showed the media how they use various tools and techniques to save people’s lives.
Jason Williams attended the event, showing the thick, heavy, black armour he wears when he goes on assignment with the Regina Police Service’s tactical operations unit.
“Most of our operations are at night, so we need to be a little more subdued than our regular white uniform,” said Williams, wearing dozens of pounds of armour, tools, and a backpack.
The intensity of the job is challenge for paramedics.
“It makes me more mindful of my own humanity and my own frailty as person, and it makes me appreciate spending more time with the family, and the kids, and that kind of thing,” said Williams.
Dan Lewis, a paramedic for 23 years, shares the same emotions.
“We feel what they feel. We often put on a brave face, and we don’t look like the emotions are going through us at the time, but they very much are,” he said.
While some careers get easier everyday, Lewis says every dispatch is an emotional challenge.
“It’s more than just a job,” he said.
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