BRANDON—The Manitoba government is moving forward with plans to enhance the province’s emergency medical services (EMS) system by providing funding for 60 new, full-time paramedic positions, Health, Seniors and Active Living Minister Kelvin Goertzen announced today. “The investment in 60 new full-time paramedic positions will ensure highly skilled professionals are available for emergency dispatch and response at all times of the day, any day of the week, reducing the reliance on on-call staff,” said Goertzen.  “Paramedics are a critical part of our health-care system, and the new positions are another step in our government’s commitment to ensuring Manitobans have access to consistent, reliable health care in their community.” First announced in this year’s budget, the 60 new full-time equivalent (FTE) positions will reduce EMS reliance on on-call staffing positions by hiring full-time positions instead.  Some positions will be filled by staff currently working in the system on an on-call basis.  Other positions are expected to be posted shortly, with paramedics hired to fill the vacancies and be on the roads later this year, the minister said. “Paramedics provide a high level of medical care from the moment they reach the patient,” said Helen Clark, chief operating officer of emergency medical services with Shared Health.  “Professionally trained paramedics today are able to perform many life-saving activities and patients in medical emergencies are encouraged to call 911 to receive the care they need.  Adding full-time positions ensures a rapid, effective response to emergency calls in rural areas.” The new positions will be strategically spread out across Prairie Mountain Health, Southern Health-Santé Sud and Interlake-Eastern Regional Health Authority, ensuring staff are well-positioned to respond to calls throughout their respective regions, the minister noted.  The new hires represent a $2.4-million investment for the final two quarters of this year, increasing to $5 million next year, he added. The additional positions will be located at EMS stations in the following communities: Dauphin – 9.7 FTE (converting from on-call); Gilbert Plains – 4.85 FTE (new positions); Killarney – 4.85 FTE (converting from on-call); Gimli – 4.85 FTE (converting from on-call); Boundary Trails – 4.85 FTE (converting some on-call, as well as new); Virden – 4.85 FTE (converting some from on-call, as well as new); West St. Paul – 9.7 FTE (new positions); Altona – 4.85 FTE (converting from on-call); and Teulon – 4.85 FTE (converting from on-call). An additional 6.65 FTE within the Interlake-Eastern Regional Health Authority will also be hired to support flexible deployment across the region, as well as provide sick leave or vacation coverage for crews. “This investment in new paramedic positions for priority areas within the region will contribute to a more consistent and responsive emergency medical services system,” said Penny Gilson, chief executive officer of Prairie Mountain Health.  “Based on recommendations from the 2013 Manitoba EMS System Review, enhancements are underway to increase the staff complement at strategic locations.  The goal is to continue to improve response times and ensure consistent, co-ordinated and reliable access to care.” In June 2017, the province announced the implementation of recommendations from the 2013 Manitoba EMS System Review.  In addition to increasing the number of full-time paramedics in rural Manitoba, changes being implemented include increasing training for paramedics, adding more ambulances and resources for inter-facility transports and restructuring station locations south of the 53rd parallel. “Ensuring ambulances in Manitoba are staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week is necessary to ensure patients have access to emergency care and that the paramedics responding are properly rested.  This investment is an excellent step towards ending long on-call shifts and allows paramedics to deliver those services in a predictable, responsive and safe manner,” said Eric Glass, administrative director, Paramedic Association of Manitoba. Manitoba uses a globally recognized, flexible deployment model to shift EMS resources as they are required throughout a region, ensuring timely responses to emergency situations across rural Manitoba.  The Medical Transportation Coordination Centre (MTCC) in Brandon is responsible for the dispatch and positioning of the province’s emergency medical services outside of Winnipeg. In 2015-16, more than 98 per cent of EMS calls in rural and northern Manitoba were responded to within the provincial response time standard, with 62.14 per cent within nine minutes, 15.66 per cent within 15 minutes and 20.38 per cent within 30 minutes. “The addition of 60 new full-time paramedic positions is an important step in implementing recommendations from the review, allowing us to improve our emergency service complement based on advice from an expert task force,” said Goertzen.  “It will help us ensure 24-7 coverage in several communities.” For additional information on health system transformation in Manitoba, visit www.gov.mb.ca/rightcare/index.html.

Just before 2:00 this afternoon, BFES and BPS responded to the parking lot of 11 Cornell Bay for a shed and trees on fire. When fire crews arrived, a shed and evergreen trees were on fire, with the fire spreading to a neighbouring yard. Other buildings and vehicles were in danger from the fire as well, but firefighter/paramedics were able to contain and extinguish the fire before it impacted anything else. No injuries occurred and fire crews cleared shortly after arriving.  Photos by: Liam Pattison Photography

The Brandon Police Service is investigating after receiving four different complaints of a male acting suspiciously and approaching female children in the areas of Linden Lanes and Meadows. The first report was received on Friday evening and other reports were received on Sunday afternoon. In all of the reported instances, the man was noted to be on a Mountain Bicycle and approaches the children engaging in small talk before asking personal questions. The man is described as aboriginal in appearance, 20 – 25 years of age, wearing black clothing with a black hat, scarring and tattoos on his face and both arms.   No specific Criminal Offence has occurred however, anyone with information is asked to contact the Brandon Police Service at (204) 729-2345. The Brandon Police Service would like to remind parents and guardians to have open conversations with your children about safety when playing outside. -      Never talk to strangers. -      Always play in an area where your parents can see you. -      If a stranger approaches, yell out so an adult can hear you. -      If someone makes you feel unsafe, tell a parent or adult immediately. -      Try to always have a friend or sibling playing with you. Teach your children to be mindful of adults and explain to them that they are allowed to say “NO” to grown-ups who approach them and make them feel uncomfortable.

April 30.2018 BRANDON, MB – The Manitoba Summer Fair returns to Brandon June 6 - 10 at the Keystone Centre with more music, more entertainment and more community partnerships. “Major events like the Manitoba Summer Fair enrich our city and have a meaningful impact on lives in a number of different ways.” Said Ron Kristjansson, general manager at the Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba. “We are always looking for opportunities to collaborate and support other community initiatives.” The fair will host its fourth annual Canadian Citizenship ceremony on Wednesday, June 6 and launch the week of fair activities into high gear on Thursday, June 7. Partnering with the Keystone Centre, the fair will feature the ‘I love the 90’s’ tour including Vanilla Ice, Snap!, All 4 One, DJ Kool, C&C Music Factory in Westoba Place. “This is a fun one,” said Jeff Schumacher, general manager of the Keystone Centre. “The timing is great to tie this concert in to the fun atmosphere of the Summer Fair and have great experience all around.” The fair will also open the stage to Brandon Pride on Thursday to kick off Pride Week with Queer & Present Danger comedy performers: Angie St. Mars, Sasha Mark, Elissa Black Wolf Kixen and Dana Smith. Brandon Pride held their first Pride Parade in 2015 and is working to build their events in the city. “This partnership in the big picture means so much to us; we are honoured to be part of the fair.” Said Brandon Pride chair, Essi Robert-Kruger. “We know there are lots of people that want to show their support but may not be comfortable attending Pride events. Partnering with the Provincial Ex is an ideal way for us to reach out to a huge audience going a long way to increase visibly and awareness and give us a chance to connect with community.” Said Roberts-Kruger. Indoor activities for Thursday include an afternoon senior’s tea and dance in the Dome Building, a $5000 Bingo hosted by the UCT in the curling club and ribbon presentation to the winning entries at the newly added Homecraft & Horticulture competition. Advance tickets for the fair are on sale now. Tickets for the ‘I Love the 90’s’ tour are available as a separate ticket event with admission to the fair included. Visit www.manitobasummerfair.com for more details and follow the Provincial Exhibition on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Shortly after 10:15pm Sunday evening, Brandon Fire and Brandon Police were called to the 1100 block of Lorne Ave for a vehicle fire. Upon arrival, the engine compartment of the sedan was completely engulfed in flames. Firefighter/paramedics were able to get the fire under control in a matter of minutes, and no nearby vehicles or houses were in danger. Fire crews cleared within approximately half an hour of arrival.  Photos by Liam Pattison Photography.