- Message from Len Stelmaschuk -Association President
- Message from Jason Spears – Association Vice President
- Message from Carl Demour – Association Secretary of Knowledge
- Message from Roger Tewson – Association Registrar
- Message from Bill Carstair – Association Treasurer
- Message from Justin Stapley – Association Board Secretary
A Message from Len Stelmaschuk – Association President
Greetings to the Paramedic Community
First off, thank you to everyone out there making a difference. We know you’re working hard and facing a number of challenges as well.
I wanted to take the opportunity as President to say that the team at the Association has been working hard behind the scenes to make a difference for you and the profession. The year is moving very fast and I wanted to communicate with the progress as of to date.
In this communication, I have requested that each Director provide a brief summary of their projects and volunteer activities.
Our team here is small, but mighty, and committed to making a real professional difference! This year our team doubled down in taking on many paramedicine projects with the aspiration to improve the APA and positively advocate for provincial paramedicine advancements.
As you begin the read, I am happy to announce that I’m part of the new provincial Alberta Emergency Medical Services Standing Committee (AEMSSC). There are many great people from all over the province on this very committee. This AEMSSC is looking at EMS across the province, the Paramedics who work within it, and the changes that could occur.
Additionally, in the hopes to start a dialogue and represent you on this three year committee. I have Two simple yet important questions to ask.
You can send your answer to me directly to president@albertaparamedics.ca or respond on our social media feeds:
SUBJECT LINE: The Paramedic Profession in Alberta
1. What is the one thing you like about working as a Paramedic in Alberta?
2. If you could change one thing in the paramedic profession, what would it be?
In closing, I am pleased with the work done thus far this year on a provincial and national level and am proud to be representing all of you. Have a great Paramedics Week, we look forward to hearing from you and celebrating you!
Len Stelmaschuk, ACP, MAL
President
Alberta Paramedic Association
A Message from Jason Spears – Association Vice-President
Dear members;
Over the last few month’s I have been active on multiple fronts including working with a partner agency to secure a provincial grant funding to offer mental health-resiliency workshops in collaboration with Wounded Warrior Canada.
Soon we will be releasing our workshop schedule with sessions being offered in Edmonton, Calgary and other provincial locales. Unlike other similar workshops, these will have the added focus of also aiming to engage and support first responder families. These sessions will be open to both APA and non-APA paramedics and their loved ones.
The APA is excited to be able to contribute to the great work already being done in supporting paramedic health and wellness, fitness to practice and the health of all Alberta paramedic families!
Stay tuned for upcoming dates and times for these sessions and please pass along the word when you see our session posters!
A Message from Carl Damour – Association Secretary of Knowledge
Good morning members,
My portfolio includes working on both the liability insurance and the Paramedic Association of Canada files.
In regards, to liability insurance we are currently working in ensuring that all types of paramedic practice benefits from full-insurance coverage. This includes across Canada and across all practice settings. For example ensuring that precepting, providing education and supervising and managing other paramedics are fully covered through our insurance coverage.
In regards to the Paramedic Association of Canada, we have been working hard at holding those responsible for the privacy breach to account. This means that we are trying to work with other provincial chapters to ensure that PAC completes a thorough investigation and addresses the recommendations in a thorough way. We are still awaiting the result of the investigation and have repeatedly indicated to PAC that this must be addressed promptly.
The PAC is also wrapping up its work on the new National Competency Framework for Paramedics (NCFP) which will be replacing the existing NOCP. We will be planning on hosting a virtual meeting with leaders from this project to inform the group on how this historical suite documents will be changing the paramedic landscape in Canada. Be on the lookout for this exciting continuing competence learning opportunity.
Finally on April 30th, your Association was present in Ottawa for the “Paramedic on the Hill” event where we advocated for Alberta Paramedics alongside with our colleagues from other provinces. We met one-on-one with Senators, MP’s and other government officials to deliver the important message that;
“Paramedics play a pivotal role in ensuring the good functioning of the health system. Paramedics need government support, at both the federal and provincial levels, to continue to do the great work they are doing and to continue to be ready to respond whenever disaster strikes.”
There is also a host of other exciting information and projects going on across the country and I plan on sharing cross Canada information at the upcoming open forum!
Stay tuned for more!
Looking forward to seeing you all soon and know that your APA board recognizes your immense contributions to keeping Albertans, Canadians and the health system safe!
Carl Damour
A Message from Roger Tewson – Association Registrar
Greetings and Salutations Members
As the registrar, I have the honor of keeping the register and roster of the Association.
Currently we have 1041 registered members with the Alberta Paramedic Association. That’s 13% of the paramedics in the Province of Alberta as of today! That doesn’t seem like a large number at first glance, but we are growing and will continue to grow.
The APA Board committed this year to various objectives the least of which is the important work I am responsible for and which includes streamlining the registration and renewal processes. We have heard you and understand that this is a painpoint for many and we are determined to improve upon this.
I am also assisting with other projects such as the creation of member committees and advisory groups that could assist us in reforming our programs and assist our Board on an ad hoc basis. Watch for emails and future postings for more details as they develop !
Lastly, thank you for all your dedication to Albertans and your skilled practice that ensures access to excellent care when emergencies arise in our communities and our province..
Roger S. Tewson, ACP, BA
A Message from Bill Carstairs – Association Treasurer
Hello Association Members!
My name is Bill Carstairs and I am currently responsible for the overall financial operations within the organization.
Recently, we have added EFT for payment processing to suppliers, which reduces administrative expenses and increases payment security.
Currently, we are working on the 2023 year-end financials and improving financial setups and receiving additional assistance in payment processing and accounting entries. Our team believes on transparent reporting and a full financial report will be accessible to APA members during our AGM, which is currently scheduled in December of 2024.
I am confident that with these new financial systems we will now be able to begin the work required to review the organization fee structure and the propositional value of all our offerings. This includes ensuring the long-term sustainability of the our benevolent funds, our education programs and running a web space that facilitate paramedic access to pertinent resources.
Bill Carstairs, CPA, CMA, Treasurer
A Message from Justin Stapley – Board Secretary
Greetings to our growing Paramedic Community!
My name is Justin Stapley and I am the Association Secretary. Aside from my obvious secretary responsibilities , I also have the opportunity to manage aspects of our social media accounts, our webpage and coordinate outgoing correspondences.
Part of my project includes supporting the management of our website transition to a more updated, aesthetically pleasing and user friendly system. Our system changes will be rolled out gradually and is intended to allow members to more easily access member services and resources.
For example, below you will see upcoming events for Paramedics week in addition to some summer events that celebrate Paramedics and First Responders.
Focus Group: APA & CMHA Paramedic Mental Health Programs
The APA and the CMHA have begun their focus group survey to all members and non-members whom are paramedics in Alberta, to get raw data on how we can create meaningful, supportive e-learning programs that would help reinforce resiliency, education on resource access, burn-out management specifically designed for the paramedic practitioner.
As their main liaison within the Alberta Paramedic Association, we look forward to releasing this program in the fall of 2024
Additionally, you can fill out the FOCUS GROUP SURVEY here
Being one of the main liaisons with the organization, we have been assisting the Edmonton River Hawks in hosting a 3rd year of First Responders night in the City of Edmonton on July 5th at Remax Field. This event has doubled in attendance in the last couple years and we expect to sell out the event this year.
Do not miss this amazing event in honor of all Paramedics & Responders.
Click the link to see the promo schedule for the 2024 season
Established since 2018, this must see summer event will be happening on July 13 2024 at the Kinsmen Rodeo Grounds in St.Albert!!
Paramedic Week begins MAY 19 2024.
This year’s theme, “Help Us, Help You” was selected given the current challenges on the healthcare system. The idea brought forward is to provide public campaigns around the appropriate use of 911 systems, and what circumstances may necessitate championing or utilizing other health care system stakeholders or programs.
Edmonton, Calgary and Cochrane & Rocky View will be the location of the events planned for Paramedics Week. More information can be found here: Paramedic Service Week
Then come to the Leduc Arts Foundry and take in the collection, on display, created by Para medic Daniel Sundahl. The majority of Daniel’s work involves emergency services photography. It comprises an emotional connection to the artist as most of his pieces are based on actual emergency calls he has attended as a paramedic and firefighter. He is passionate about reducing the stigma of PTSD for first responders and uses his art to raise awareness of occupational stress injuries worldwide. You can see his additional works here: https://www.dansungallery.com/shop-art
Research to Practice: Evidence for Innovation in Paramedicine
Education and Research is critical in the evolution of Paramedical Practice and what the future of Paramedicine could be: Canadian Paramedicine Research Day starts on May 23rd 2024! The Theme?
For more information and to register: http://www.canadianparamedicineresearch.ca./
So mark your Calendars for these amazing events that celebrate all Paramedics and Responders along with the families, friends and loved ones that support them.
Did I miss any of your Paramedic Themed events for 2024? And other events you think we should be aware of?
Drop me a line: justin@albertaparamedics.ca with the subject line: 2024 Events Promo
And we will promote the event to our members and on our social media platforms.
Justin Stapley
Primary Care Paramedic, KNSS Dip