ALL ABOUT BEAVER AMBULANCE.

History

Beaver Ambulance began in 1980 as a joint project of the Tofield Hospital, Viking Hospital, Beaver County and the municipalities contained within it: Tofield, Ryley, Holden, and Viking. Prior to this, the ambulances were run by their respective hospitals in Tofield and Viking, and staffed by nurses and ambulance drivers. We were incorporated as a society in 1981, and also became a federally registered charity ten years later. By the mid 1980s we were beginning to train and employ the first registered Emergency Medical Technicians as attendants. In 1990 the first Advanced Life Support paramedic was hired as manager, beginning the provision of ALS in our area. By 1999 there was one ALS and one BLS ambulance in Tofield 24 hours/7 days per week, and shortly thereafter the ambulance in Viking also became fully staffed as ALS.

In 2009, as a result of direction from the provincial government, Alberta Health Services took over governance and funding for emergency medical services in the Province of Alberta. Beaver EMS entered into a contractual agreement with AHS to continue to provide emergency medical services, and we have maintained this service to the hospitals and residents of our area.

Tofield and Viking stations

The ambulance station in Tofield is located on the grounds of the Tofield Health Centre. It was constructed and funded by Beaver Ambulance Society, and completed in 2006. It serves as the main administration office as well as the station residence and ambulance garage for both crews stationed in Tofield. A similar station was completed in Viking in the fall of 2011, which also services as garage and crew residence.

Safety Tips

Beaver EMS would like to remind everyone to think safe while traveling, working, or playing. Accidents are preventable if the necessary precautions are taken. Smart decisions include:

Always wear helmets when riding snowmobile or ATVs
Keeping hazardous household cleaners or products out of reach from children
Driving sober and well rested or have a designated driver
Wearing your seatbelt at all times
Keeping a safe speed and drive according to road conditions
Avoiding the use of loose floor rugs that can cause a trip hazard
Securing groceries or loose objects in the trunk (they can act as pojectiles in the event of a rollover)
Keeping a slow pace while shovelling snow; clear small sections at a time and rest frequently

The Star of Life

Each of the six "points" of the star represents an aspect of the EMS System.
They are:

1. Detection
2. Reporting
3. Response
4. On Scene Care
5. Care In Transit
6. Transfer to Definitive Care

The staff and snake (The Staff of Asclepius) on the star represents Medicine and Healing. The public, through access to the 9-1-1 service, first aid and CPR courses, education, etc., will play the most important role in this Star of Life. The activation of EMS is the key to rapid response.