New partnership between Sudbury police and paramedics will help keep first responders safe
After years of planning and training, a new Tactical Emergency Medics program will see nine paramedics joining the Greater Sudbury Police Service on the front lines.
"Our emergency response unit participates or activates whenever fairly serious or potentially serious events could happen," said Shawn-Eric Poulin, the team lead for the tactical paramedic team. "That being said, we’re talking about knives, guns, possibly explosives, those types of things. So knowing that we can be there immediately and start providing care immediately gives us a solace because we have the skills and I know it makes the ERU members feel more comfortable as well."
The team will be deployed alongside the police department’s Emergency Response Unit for high-risk situations.
"There’s an array of different things that, obviously, we’re deployed to, be it anything high-risk," said emergency response Staff Sgt. Ed Stiller. "Barricade, weapons, etc. So that being said, if we're deployed, they’re deployed with us."
On Wednesday, police officers alongside the new tactical team demonstrated a scenario on how this partnership would look during a real event in the city. Officials said it is a crucial partnership that is needed.
"Seconds count and having the appropriately trained personnel working directly with us, side by side, shoulder to shoulder, being available for immediate care makes an absolute difference," Stiller said.
The idea of this partnership first came up in 2019 and included an application from interested paramedics, physical training, and psychological training for medics ready to join the front line. However, Poulin said his team is ready.
"Every team member can now provide that care immediately if it ever was to come to that. Some of these guys have been dreaming about this since they were in school to become paramedics," he said.
Adding that by being beside officers during a situation, they can care for injuries in a quicker manner than if their vehicles were waiting further away.
"At present, we have what’s required and that being said, those numbers are based on availability from paramedic services," explained Stiller. "They determined what they were able to offer. It also has a lot to do with what we have available for equipment. So at present, we have nine -- we would like more. Nine is a very good working number for us and we’d like to keep it at that."
Now with training complete and everyone equipped with the necessary gear, both police and paramedics say it's another tool to keep first responders safe in the city.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.