Wednesday, November 21, 2007

** Montreal, Quebec paramedics say recent practitioner suicides work related

** Edmonton, Alberta councillors worried over liability of red alerts

** Ferno Canada announces new pricing reflecting stronger Canadian dollar

CANADA NEWS

** Five Montreal, Quebec paramedics have committed suicide in the past few years. That is the word from the Canadian Press (November 20) which said EMS colleagues consider the deaths job related. According to the news service, overwork is being touted as one of the catalysts. Some 200 practitioners lent credence to the theory Tuesday with a protest march through the city’s downtown. Using a black limousine as a prop, the procession also sported wreaths commemorating the lives of the five deceased providers. Fellow medics carried both white crosses and silver helmets.

** An ever rising number of red alerts in Edmonton has city councillors concerned about liability. The Edmonton Sun (Frank Landry/November 20) said adminstrators have now been tasked with determining whether an adverse patient outcome following a lack of available units could leave the city open to lawsuits.  Since the beginning of 2007, 240 red alerts have been called;in 2006, the stat over the same period was 95. Answers to the legal query are expected in the new year.

** Mississauga, Ontario: Ferno Canada announced today that it is issuing a new price list to reflect the strength of the Canadian dollar versus the declining U.S. greenback. Since much of the broad line of patient handling and immobilization equipment that Ferno Canada distributes is manufactured by it’s parent Company, Ferno Washington, Inc in the United States, import prices have been greatly reduced due to the currency situation. ” We recognize that Emergency Services budgets are stretched far to thin at the best of times so anything we can do to pass on savings to these organizations in Canada will help to ensure that they are able to equip themselves with the newest models of products available on the market” says Bruce Whitaker, Managing Director of Ferno Canada. Ferno is a global leader in the provision of solutions to the Emergency Services, Emergency Preparedness and Mass Casualty industry sectors.