We at Criti Care EMS are committed to serving our great province and the friendly and energetic people that call Manitoba home. We are always looking for ways to give back and the following events are just some of the ways we are trying to make a difference.
Operation Christmas Child
Operation Christmas Child (OCC) is a project of Samaritan's Purse and last year alone delivered 3.1 million gift-filled shoeboxes to 70 countries around the world.
Family Presence During Resuscitation Research Study - Victoria Hospital, Winnipeg
Family Presence During Resuscitation (FPDR) – changing the long held belief of many health professionals that family members must be “protected” from having to endure experiencing the events and procedures that go on with the acute resuscitation of their loved one, and their practice of quickly ushering family away from the scene when these events occur. Evidence is beginning to emerge indicating that family presence during the resuscitation may improve families’ understanding of the process of care, reinforce family bonding, improve consultative decision making, and aid in the grieving process in the case of a negative outcome. The concept of family presence during resuscitation is consistent with the principles of family centered care. Victoria General Hospital (Winnipeg) conducted a research study into FPDR, and Criti Care was actively involved in FPDR, including participating in the training of staff FPDR facilitators and the development of an inservice video.
Donation to the Heart and Stroke Foundation
January 2008, Criti Care EMS and Medtronic Canada donated a Lifepak CR+ Automated External Defibrillator and cabinet to the Manitoba office of the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada. "We are pleased to make this donation to the Heart and Stroke Foundation to help with the promotion of early defibrillation within the province of Manitoba" - Blair Milling, Divisional Chief Defibrillation Programs
Blair Milling pictured above with Debbie Brown - CEO Heart and Stroke Foundation Manitoba
IBEW Life Saving Award
On November 22, 2007 Gord Twiss was awarded the IBEW Life Saving Award for saving the life of his co-worker, Dan Fletcher. Both Mr. Twiss and Mr. Fletcher are employed by Manitoba Hydro and are provided CPR and First Aid Training annually through Criti Care EMS. On July 20, 2006, this training proved to be life-saving. Mr. Fletcher had been trimming tree branches around a 7,200 volt energized line when he was electrocuted and rendered unconscious. After lowering Mr. Fletcher back down to ground level, Mr. Twiss quickly determined that he was not breathing and that he seemed to be pulseless. At this point, Mr. Twiss remembered his training and began CPR on his co-worker and immediately called 911. Mr. Twiss continued to provide CPR for 30 minutes until medical assistance arrived and consequently, Mr. Fletcher survived the event.
Criti Care EMS was honoured to be present during the IBEW Life Saving Award ceremony at IBEW's request and wishes all the best for Mr. Fletcher and his family.
