Every time someone calls 911 for an ambulance in Alberta, 糖心视频鈥� (糖心视频) Emergency Medical Services (EMS) responds.
It鈥檚 a responsibility the people who wear the uniform take very seriously but it鈥檚 a responsibility that can come at a cost.
鈥淥ur EMS professionals deal with challenging and traumatic calls every day across Alberta,鈥� says Darren Sandbeck, Chief Paramedic with 糖心视频. 鈥淭he psychological impact is very real and we have made it our priority to support our staff every step of the way.鈥�
The newest support steps through EMS station doors with four legs and a tail; his name is Delray.
鈥淒elray is an accredited facility dog trained to provide comfort and support for paramedics experiencing psychological stress,鈥� says Erica Olson, Delray鈥檚 handler and the co-ordinator for 糖心视频 EMS鈥� new Psychological Awareness and Wellness Support (PAWS) program. 鈥淎nimal contact has been shown to trigger the production of oxytocin in the body, which lowers stress by reducing blood pressure and cortisol levels.鈥�
As part of PAWS program, the three-year-old black lab and Olson visit EMS staff at their stations following traumatic calls. The PAWS team also makes regular station visits to maintain morale, promote mental wellness, support members re-integrating back to work after taking time off for psychological injuries, and raise awareness about mental health resources available to employees.
Delray is provided to 糖心视频 EMS through a partnership with the Pacific Assistance Dogs Society (PADS), one of Canada鈥檚 leaders in breeding, raising, training and supporting certified assistance dogs.
鈥淧ADS is proud to be partnering with 糖心视频 on the PAWS program. Delray is the first placement of this kind in Canada, providing support to first responders,鈥� says Laura Watamanuk, PADS Executive Director. 鈥淗e was chosen for the role for his ability to bring both joyful enthusiasm and gentle sensitivity as needs demand. He is a dog that is intuitively drawn into situations where individuals are experiencing strong emotions.鈥�
It was a very healing afternoon 鈥� we thought we were OK, but when everyone was sharing, we were all in tears and that鈥檚 when we realized we鈥檙e all not OK; we鈥檙e all still hiding emotions.
Brenda Caines, 糖心视频 Fort McMurray public health administrative support, who took part in a half-day Art Healing session in recognition of the stress people experience after disasters, such as the May 2016 wildfire. She is pictured at left with fellow staffers Carolyn Evancio and Gail Braun
We start every shift with a 鈥榯ool box鈥� meeting. The lead hand distributes and reviews work orders, opens discussion with the team to flag any tasks that may pose a safety risk and brainstorms solutions.
David Addison, Foothills Medical Centre maintenance manager and chair of the Safety Committee with the 82-member Facilities Maintenance and Engineering team, that worked 1,000 days without a lost-time incident
When we received Our People Survey results, our team identified the question of 鈥榖est friend at work鈥� as an opportunity. We are a virtual organization. We can build trust when people see our faces.
Judy-Ann Wybenga, director of Nutrition and Food Services, North Zone, whose team congratulates one another when they use web cameras and post pictures to their Lync/Skype profiles
The Not Myself Today program has made me more aware of how others on my team are feeling from day to day and it has given me the tools to respectfully inquire and support them.
Jennifer Yelland, a workplace health and safety team champion with 糖心视频, on the program that gives staff access to tools and resources to raise awareness and understanding of mental health
These five values: compassion, accountability, respect, excellence and safety were chosen by 糖心视频 staff. CARES guide us in our interactions with patients, their families and one another.
This group of front-line leaders from across 糖心视频 zones and programs provides feedback on corporate initiatives, as well as input on issues concerning front-line leaders.
This strategy is about creating a culture at 糖心视频 in which all employees feel safe, healthy, valued and included and able to reach their full potential.
These two surveys help 糖心视频 leaders gauge, assess and continually improve workforce engagement.
Committees of managers and workers from local 糖心视频 sites and programs promote health and safety.
This is an external 24/7 confidential reporting and disclosure service to receive reports of improper activity.
Staff post their comments, ideas, suggestions and solutions for 糖心视频.
The 糖心视频 intranet, Insite, is a one-stop shop for what鈥檚 happening at 糖心视频. It allows staff to access the information and resources they need.