Jasper, Alberta, Canada Fire Chief Greg Van Tighem likes a challenge.  After raising $145,000 for MS research,

he has decided to step up his game.  Van Tighem’s new goal?  To bike the length of Highway 93 from Wickenburg

to Jasper, Alberta in only three weeks.  And he wants to raise $93,000 to help end MS along the way, so

his journey is dubbed the End to End to End MS. Donations can be made online at www.endms93.com

Van Tighem’s journey begins in Wickenburg Monday, April 22 at 8:30 a.m. at the Wishing Well next to Highway

93-60 and Kerkes Street.  A ceremony is planned by the Wickenburg Chamber of Commerce and the Town of

Wickenburg, with a presentation by Mayor John Cook and other dignitaries.  At 9:00 a.m., the Wickenburg Fire

and Police Departments will escort Mr. Van Tighem out to Highway 93 to begin his journey north.

The Highway spans 1,720  miles, starting from Mile Zero in Jasper to the end in Wickenburg.  The Town of

Wickenburg and Town of Jasper are official sister cities, and the Wickenburg Chamber Tourism Authority and

Jasper Tourism are partnering in marketing the designation.

For more information or to connect to a partner near you contact:

Mayor Barb Sjoquist
780.755.3933
mayor@edgerton-oasis.ca

To preview the most current RED document, please click the link below:

RED Document 4

This review examined the implications for quality and patient safety with respect to ground emergency medical services in Alberta. Our research and analysis identified important issues leading us to five recommendations and sixteen required actions that we believe are essential to improving the quality and safety of this critical service for Albertans. Establishing a province-wide EMS system is a very complex undertaking, however, the continued integration of EMS with the provincial healthcare system will provide substantial benefits to patients requiring urgent medical care.

The HQCA will collaborate with Alberta Health and other stakeholders in their review of this report, and is committed to following the progress of the accepted recommendations.

Many people contributed their time and expertise to this review. Thank you to the members of the review team who dedicated many months to ensure the quality and integrity of the review. On behalf of the team, I would also like to thank the individuals who participated in interviews, responded to questionnaires, and were readily available to answer questions and provide background information. Every individual involved in the review demonstrated a great passion for improving the EMS system in Alberta, and a commitment to do what is best for all Albertans.

Dr. John Cowell, Chief Executive Officer, HQCA
Calgary, Alberta
January 31, 2013

View Full Report

It is with great pride that I share with you my endeavor to honor a truly great man, Randy Segboer.

To me and many more, Randy was one of the ‘fathers’ and remarkable instructors of the EST program at Fire Etc. As a young lady trying to find my way and make my family proud, being accepted into this elite program and receiving instruction and guidance from the likes of Randy about firefighting, EMS and life in general, was truly a gift. Randy was a role model, a mentor and a man who made an incredible difference in SO many young emergency service providers lives. He was all of this and so much more, to not just students, but also colleagues, co-workers, neighbors and his family. There are few firefighters in this province who haven’t been influenced by Randy in one way or another, directly or indirectly thru course materials or the instructor facilitating the course. Randy was apart of it all.

 Sadly, Randy paid the ultimate price in early 2012 after only having been diagnosed with cancer a few months earlier. Obviously there is strong reason to believe that chronic exposure to the produ cts of combustion while instructing, was the source of his fatal illness. A memorial was organized for those to pay their respects, and in attendance were nearly 500+ mourners. That just goes to show how many lives he touched, and how cherished he was in this industry.

This year, with his wife’s blessing, I am organizing a team of riders to participate in the Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer in memory of Randy. Each team member is required to raise $2500, but in doing so, will have the epic opportunity to ride ~250km over a 2-day period thru the beautiful Foothills surrounding Calgary. Everything about this adventure is a challenge - the fundraising, the training and the ride itself. However, the energy of the weekend, the quality of event organization and the exhilaration of clearing the finish line are all worth it!

The reason I am reaching out to Fire Dept’s across Alberta is twofold; firstly I’m looking for recruits! The more team members who ride, the more money we raise in Randy’s honor (and don’t think you’re alone in fundraising...we have some excellent sponsors already onboard and some awesome fundraising ideas!). Secondly, I’m asking for your support and the support from your staff. Fundraising isn’t always easy, but I honestly believe if we all work together, we can reach a common goal! Our team would be honored if you would consider donating a portion of any fundraising monies you raise this year to our team, host a fundraiser to benefit our efforts, bring new sponsors onboard or simply make a personal donation. All contributions are very gratefully received.

My promise to you is this: All monies raised thru this event will support cancer research or treatment of cancer patients in Alberta. Aswell, all donations of $250+ will receive sponsorship recognition on each team member’s jersey worn throughout the weekend, AND our team will send each and every donor a team picture Thank-you card after the event.

If you would like more information:

Jen Bishop EMT-P
EST Rides for Randy (our team name) Team Leader
403-813-3793

jen.bishop@telus.net

Also, please visit the official website for additional information about the ride:

www.conquercancer.ca

If you would like to make a donation:

1. Visit the website

2. Click on DONATE (at the top)

1. 3.Choose to donate to an individual rider or a team
2. 4. If you choose TEAM, search for “EST Rides for Randy”
3. 5. Print the TEAM DONATION form and fill out as required
4. 6. Finally, visit our Team Page and leave us encouraging messages!

Thank you SO VERY much for your support and interest in our endeavor to honor a fallen brother, a great man and a fire service leader. 

Best Regards

Jen Bishop
EMT-P AHS
Calgary South Suburban Rural Operations

To honour the contributions of William (Bill) MacKay to the Alberta Fire Service over a long, illustrious and varied career.

Starting as an investigator in the Fire Prevention Branch of the General Safety Services Branch of Alberta Labour in 1954 and retiring as Alberta’s second full-time Fire Commissioner in 1987.

Bill spent the subsequent 23 years as the Executive Director and Chief Financial Officer of the Alberta Fire Chief’s Association.

Bill’s dedication to the improvements to Alberta’s Fire service and the people who make it work and grow has never waivered. Neither has his commitment to ensure the professional and safe development of firefighters and officers within the system.

Award:

To provide assistance in professional development through study at a Canadian Post Secondary Institution, leading to a Diploma or Degree related to Fire Department Management and Leadership.

$500.00 to be awarded each year for the professional development of current and potential future Chief Officers. A recipient is may not apply for future awards. The award must be used within one year.

Eligibility:

Officer or Officer Eligible member of an Alberta Municipal or Industrial Fire Department.(municipal means those organizations responsible to an elected body created in Alberta under the Municipal Government Act, The Indian Act or the Métis Settlements Act).

Must have a minimum of 10 and a maximum of 20 years within Alberta’s Fire Services.

Selection:

To be made by the Award Committee consisting of the AFCA President, the Fire Commissioner of Alberta, one additional member or appointee of the AFCA Board. The Executive Director of the AFCA, who will administer the program, will sit on the Committee as an ex-officio member. The award will be presented at the annual conference of the AFCA. The dead line for application of the award will April 15 in any year. Application forms must be accompanied by the applicants resume and approved by the applicants Fire Chiefs and if the applicant is a Fire Chief, the application must be approved by Chief Administrative Officer of the municipality.

To Apply:

Contact AFCA Executive Director Bill Purdy at bpurdy@xplornet.com

Online registration is available at https://www.eply.com/EVTAofBCTrainingSeminars

We have heard from many Chiefs and Municipalities that the ability to pay by credit card would expedite registration/ payment and ensure the technician gets the seminars of choice.  It also allows your boss to choose to register you under a 2012 budget or 2013 and the ability to pay by credit card gives more flexibility to get it processed within their Credit authorizations.  This is a benefit to all!

I think you will like what we are offering

Regards,
Les Venables, President                       

Emergency Vehicle Technicians Association of BC

5275 Colbourne Dr
Nanaimo, BC  V9T 6R6

Phone : 250-729-9580
Email: evtechs@shaw.ca
Website: www.evtabc.com

 EVT Training Seminars

I am now pleased to provide you with a copy of the RED doc in pdf format to make it easier for distribution. The RED doc is a follow up document to the Rural Community First Responders Conference Research Report. The RED doc provides clear next steps and is a very comprehensive document, including notes of explanation and exploration as well as very detailed national and international research.  The RED doc as well as other research and reports are also posted on the Rural Community First Responders Conference Website. We are now in the process of developing a RED day in April.

We are very thankful the Health Minister also for directing the Health Quality Council of Alberta to conduct a Review of operations of all aspects of emergency medical services in the province, including dispatch consolidation. I have attached a copy of the letter from the Health Minister, requesting the review so that you may see the scope of the review. Our Working group continues to grow as we are contacted by Fire and First Responders and Elected Officials from across the province. Our Working group has consistently worked at offering solutions and working for solutions to ensure that Alberta has the best emergency response possible and that the rural safety net continues to remain strong and in place. The development of a Rural EMS Strategy and a Provincial 911 Strategy will ensure that happens. We look forward to a continued good working relationship with the Provincial Government and the opportunity to provide input into this Review.

Sincerely,

Barbara L.C. Sjoquist (Mrs.)
Mayor – Village of Edgerton
P.O. Box 57 Edgerton, Ab. T0B 1K0
Email: mayor@edgerton-oasis.ca
780 755 3933 Village Office
www.edgerton-oasis.ca
www.ruralcommunityfirstresponders.com

 RED_Document.pdf  5 Mbytes

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMehJ2HshgQ

Firefighters with cancer