On June 6, The Shield Journal awarded the first of its 2022 bi-annual Community Safety Grants to the Rideau Lakes Fire Department (RLFD) after a catastrophic fire destroyed their station in Portland, Ont. On Dec. 21, 2021, RLFD Chief Scott Granahan was at home when he received an alert in the late afternoon from the…
Last updated on June 14th, 2022
With new Mission Critical Push-to-X voice, video and data communications tech, First Responders can manage emergency situations with greater awareness Samsung Networks and TELUS have partnered to launch Canada’s first next-generation Mission Critical Push-to-X (MCPTX) services for Canadian First Responders. Deployed over TELUS’ globally recognized network, this new MCPTX technology will equip Canada’s public safety…
Last updated on March 25th, 2022
When a person is struggling with their mental health, even one small gesture of care and kindness can make all the difference in the world. Just the knowledge that there is one person out there who truly cares can give a person in crisis the motivation they need to begin walking the road toward healing.…
Winner: Dan Kress Nominated by: Bryce Brunarski Congratulations to Dan Kress, our official First Responder of the Year for 2021! Dan was nominated by his former colleague at Niagara EMS, Bryce Brunarski, for his unyielding compassion, class and dignity in the field over his impressive 36 year career as an Advanced Care Paramedic. “Although Dan…
As the substance abuse crisis continues to rage across Canada, correctional institutions across the country are feeling the strain. According to a 2020 report by Dalhousie University, opioid-related deaths inside correctional facilities are on a steady incline. In 2017 alone, there were 70 overdoses inside Canadian prisons. A 2016 report by CMAJ Open found that…
It goes without saying that answering emergency calls and dispatching field responders to events is emotionally taxing work. However, it is often the unseen work-life balance issues that create the greatest levels of stress for telecommunicators. Due to staffing shortages and high turnover, emergency telecommunicators are frequently asked to work overtime. This involves either staying…
Last updated on February 11th, 2022
Though working as a First Responder is undoubtedly fulfilling, it doesn’t come without a price. The mental health and well-being of First Responders and front-line workers is more important than ever as they face unprecedented stress and pressure while dealing with the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic. This is in addition to the usual trauma First Responders…
Last updated on November 24th, 2021
“PTSD is part of the risk of the job. It is not a death sentence. One can rebound from it.” – Line Chamberland I grew up in Jonquiere Quebec. My mom is the artist in the family. She still paints at 82 and excels at it. Both my dad and my brother became police officers…
Last updated on January 10th, 2022
In Arthurian Romance, the mysterious wizard Merlin prophesized to King Uther Pendragon that a noble youth named Galahad would soon be born, who would then save the Kingdom from evil and usher in a state of blessedness. Sure enough, in due time, the child was born of dubious parentage. Despite having grown up shielded from…
Last updated on December 21st, 2021
It has been an unprecedented year for paramedics and other emergency medical personnel. Not only are paramedics tasked with keeping up with the demanding tasks required of their jobs on a day-to-day basis, but they are also working tirelessly to keep our communities safe during a global pandemic. Perhaps no one understands this struggle more…
