Scott Holland, EMT-P Superintendent of Special Operations (Logistics & Support Emergency Medical Services, The City of Calgary) was our guest lecturer this week. Scott's talk can be summarized as follows:
"The City of Calgary has experienced unprecedented growth in the past few years. The Centre City faces a multitude of challenges that include increased traffic congestion, economic growth, community sprawl and an increasing diversity of the populace. The demand on EMS resources has grown at an average rate of 9% over the last six years. Significant demand on resources is from an increasing number of vulnerable individuals (the homeless, addicted, and mentally ill) living in the Centre City who have limited access to basic health services and have a high rate of recidivism.
EMS has created a specialty team devoted to the Centre City. This specialty team is comprised of 20 paramedics who have an understanding, training and interest in vulnerable populations and the issues associated with the inner city (e.g. addictions, homelessness and mental illness).
The team has established links with social agencies and programs to ensure vulnerable populations receive the right care. It has created an alternate response strategy reducing the convergence of emergency response vehicles in the core. Also the increased ''EMS presence'' contributes to citizen confidence that Calgary is a safe and vibrant place to live." - from Growing Home Conference proceedings.
Thank you, Scott, for a great talk.
