Two-wheeling paramedics
Group on bicycles patrols city events
Advertisement
Read this article for free:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
To continue reading, please subscribe:
Monthly Digital Subscription
$1 per week for 24 weeks*
- Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
- Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
- Access News Break, our award-winning app
- Play interactive puzzles
*Billed as $4.00 plus GST every four weeks. After 24 weeks, price increases to the regular rate of $19.95 plus GST every four weeks. Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.
Monthly Digital Subscription
$4.99/week*
- Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
- Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
- Access News Break, our award-winning app
- Play interactive puzzles
*Billed as $19.95 plus GST every four weeks. Cancel any time.
To continue reading, please subscribe:
Add Free Press access to your Brandon Sun subscription for only an additional
$1 for the first 4 weeks*
*Your next subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $16.99 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $23.99 plus GST every four weeks.
Read unlimited articles for free today:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 20/07/2010 (5738 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
THE next time you’re downtown and suddenly need medical assistance, the first paramedics who rush to help may be on two wheels.
That’s because instead of ambulances, several paramedics have volunteered to ride this summer on specially outfitted mountain bikes.
Civic spokeswoman Michelle Bailey said the paramedics are in their ninth year of bicycling around the city as part of the PACER (Paramedics Active in Community Education and Response) program.
"They cycle around at events including Canada Day, Dragon Boat Races, Children’s Festival and the Teddy Bears’ Picnic," Bailey said on Monday.
"And if they see anyone needing help or someone who is homeless and needs assistance they will help as well."
The service first began pedalling in 2002 and has been aided every year by Gooch’s Bicycle and Hobby Shop on Sherbrook Street, which has donated the use of two mountain bikes as well as set-up, maintenance and service.
Each of the paramedics has wind/rain cycling jackets with the EMS (Emergency Medical Services) shoulder crests and a star of life on the chest.
Bailey said the bicyclists are far from your standard pedaler.
"These are paramedics —- they can also be the first responders in some cases until other paramedics arrive," she said.
They work weekdays and, with the help of part time staff, they’re hoping to staff the program on most weekends this summer, but Bailey said they don’t operate as long as their fellow brethren in vehicles.
"For safety reasons, they don’t operate the program in the dark," she said.
kevin.rollason@freepress.mb.ca
Kevin Rollason is a general assignment reporter at the Free Press. He graduated from Western University with a Masters of Journalism in 1985 and worked at the Winnipeg Sun until 1988, when he joined the Free Press. He has served as the Free Press’s city hall and law courts reporter and has won several awards, including a National Newspaper Award. Read more about Kevin.
Every piece of reporting Kevin produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press‘s tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press’s history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates.
Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber.
Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Kevin Rollason is a general assignment reporter at the Free Press. He graduated from Western University with a Masters of Journalism in 1985 and worked at the Winnipeg Sun until 1988, when he joined the Free Press. He has served as the Free Press’s city hall and law courts reporter and has won several awards, including a National Newspaper Award. Read more about Kevin.
Every piece of reporting Kevin produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press‘s tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press’s history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates.
Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber.
Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Advertisement Advertise With Us