Challenges related to social distancing have made it difficult to mark milestones in everyday life for many Albertans. This week is Paramedic Services Week, but nevertheless members of Wheatland EMS are observing the week by sharing via social media what it means to be a paramedic right here at home.

Kevin Link, advance care paramedic, and operations manager at Wheatland EMS explained, “Realistically with COVID-19 we are still very limited to groups, even though the province has released some rules where you can have up to 50 people, we are still trying to do our part to minimize gatherings as much as we can.”

Link says that as a measure to protect Wheatland EMS staff, members of the public are prohibited from entering their station.

Mindful of COVID-19 restrictions, to mark the week the Wheatland EMS published a video on social media featuring one of their crews at work.

“As paramedics, we are all very lucky to be in this profession. It is a very gratifying job. Sometimes it can be challenging and stressful, but most of the time it’s a very gratifying career to be involved in,” he says.

In terms of the COVID-19 pandemic Link says, “The province has eased up on some of the restrictions and how well we do with that is really based on the attitude of the public. It hasn’t gone away.”

He says the virus has lessened, which can be common with some viruses in the summer months.

“I am not sure if this one is just respecting the season, as a flu virus does. I don’t know if anybody knows that yet. But it seems to have eased off,” he said. “A lot of that is most certainly due to the response of Alberta Health and the closing of businesses and schools.”

Now that the province is beginning to reopen, Link says one thing that we should remember is that “We had eight weeks of hand-hygiene and personal distance training, and I don’t think that should end.”

“We were really fortunate it didn’t get too near the level that we were anticipating and as paramedic we were all very nervous. We are still somewhat nervous because you can’t see/know where it is,” he says.

Link says they are thankful the virus has not spread as severely as originally predicted. And hopefully, the trend continues to decrease in the fall.

A Message From The Province

Minister of Health Tyler Shandro issued the following statement on National Paramedic Services Week:

“Today, I want to recognize and thank the more than 9,000 courageous men and women who provide paramedic services to Albertans across the province, and their families who support them.

“When Albertans need them, paramedics are there – offering care, compassion, and life-saving knowledge in times of crisis.

“National Paramedic Services Week runs from May 24 to May 30, and this year’s theme is Pandemic: Paramedics on the Front Line.

“As we face the COVID-19 pandemic together, every day is a critical situation for our emergency responders. Paramedics are providing essential support to Alberta’s pandemic response – helping to keep us all safe while serving on the front line.

“During National Paramedic Services Week, I encourage all Albertans to show their support of our paramedics by following the public health guidelines. We need to be there for them too. Please thank them by keeping yourselves, our paramedics, and their families, safe.”

You can watch members of Wheatland EMS at work in the community here.