Monday, March 7, 2011

** Swiss paramedic continues circumnavigating globe in solar powered yacht

** Proposed Ontario paramedic bravery bill gains support

MARQUESAS ISLANDS NEWS

** Swiss paramedic Raphael Domjan and his colleagues arrived last week via solar powered yacht in what has become a unique trip around the world. The website Petethomasoutdoors.com (Pete Thomas/March 1) said the Turanor Planet Solar, which derives its name from the Lord of the Rings novels and means power of the sun, has logged around 10,000 miles so far. Beginning September 27 in Monaco, the crew has some 22,000 miles left to circumnavigate the globe. According to the news site, the aim of the green undertaking is to convince others that commercial shipping can be run by other than fossil fuels. Along with Domjan, who also works as a high-mountain rescue guide, other on board crew include Captain Patrick Marchesseau, Germany’s Jens Langwasser, and Switzerland’s Christian Ochsenbein. After a break in the Marquesas Islands, the boat will head towards Brisbane, Australia.

CANADA NEWS

** Ontario high school students in Strathroy are rallying their support behind the proposed Ontario Award for Paramedic Bravery Bill. The Strathroy Age Dispatch (March 1) said area teens at the District Collegiate are hoping to honour paramedic Paul Patterson who graduated from the school and volunteered with the local fire department. According to the newspaper, Patterson died February 25, 2007 after his ambulance was dispatched to respond to an overturned car with two siblings inside. Patterson, who was behind the wheel of the EMS unit at the time, lost control on icy roads and rolled the vehicle. Bill 115 received its first reading before the provincial legislature last October 6 and its second reading on October 28. It is currently in the hands of the Standing Committee on Social Policy. It requires a third reading and Royal Assent before passing into law.