Many times we are asked...how busy is our service?  How many calls do we do each year?  What type of calls do we do?  How can one apply for employment with our company? How does one become an EMT or Paramedic?  What is an EMT or Paramedic?  What is the difference?

    These are just a few of the more frequently asked questions.  Here, we have tried to provide the answers to many of the questions asked of us?  If there is a question not included here that you would like the answer to, please feel free contact us by one of the many ways offered to you!

  How big of a service area do we provide coverage for?
  What level of service do we provide to the area?
  How many calls a year does Spiritwood Ambulance Care do?
  What type of calls do we do?
  What is the difference between Big River base and Spiritwood base?
 
  What are the different levels of training?
  What is the difference between the different levels of training?
  How can someone be trained?
 
  How can someone apply for employment with Spiritwood Ambulance Care?
 
 
 

How big of a service area do we provide coverage for?

     Spiritwood Ambulance Care provides service to a large rural area and population?  With six (6) First Nations communities and over forty (40) communities and congregated areas, there spans a coverage area over six (6) Rural Municipalities. 

     From north of the town of Big River all the way to Sled Lake, down south of the town of Spiritwood to Whitkow, to the east of Spiritwood as far as Glaslyn, and west to the town of Canwood.  To see a general map of the service area, click below!

What level of service do we provide to the service area?

     Spiritwood Ambulance Care provides service from the level of First Responders all the way to PCP/EMT's, ICP/Advanced EMT's to ACP/Paramedics! 

     Currently, there are two (2) ICP's-Intermediate Care Paramedics stationed at the Big River base with additional PCP/EMT's and EMR's providing care to that level.  There is also three (3) practicing ACP's-Advanced Care Paramedics at the Spiritwood base with additional PCP/EMT's and EMR's.  Between the two (2) locations of bases, a service level to the Paramedic level is provided to all residents in the area. 

     Because of the location of the bases and the distribution of staff between them, different levels of response can be achieved and appropriate care to the situation can be delivered. 

How many calls a year does Spiritwood Ambulance Care do?

      In 2008, between Spiritwood and Big River bases, a total of 1433 responses were attended to!

     The breakdown of calls is as above with Big River base doing 469 calls and Spiritwood base doing 964 of the calls.  A total of 252,776kms were traveled between the two bases (Spiritwood traveled 172,982kms and Big River traveled 79,765kms)

     In 2007, between Spiritwood and Big River bases, a total of 1293 responses were attended to!

     The breakdown of calls is as above with Big River base doing 382 calls and Spiritwood base doing 911 of the calls.  A total of 241,591kms were traveled between the two bases (Spiritwood traveled 169,900kms and Big River traveled 71,691kms)

      In 2006, between Spiritwood and Big River bases, a total of 1376 responses were attended to!

     The breakdown of calls is as above with Big River base doing 433 calls and Spiritwood base doing 943 of the calls.  A total of 238,767kms were traveled between the two bases (Spiritwood traveled 155,681kms and Big River traveled 83,086kms)

     In 2005, between Spiritwood and Big River bases, a total of 1478 responses were attended to!

     The breakdown of the calls is as above with Big River base doing 526 calls and Spiritwood base doing 952 of the calls.  A total of 260,202kms were traveled between both bases in 2005!

     In 2004, between Spiritwood and Big River bases, a total of 1309 responses were attended to!

     The breakdown of the 2004 calls is with the Big River base doing 460 calls and the Spiritwood base doing 849 of the 1309 calls!  As you can see, with the service area covered, there are a lot of responses! In addition, Big River EMS traveled a total of 84,558kms and Spiritwood EMS traveled 150,938kms for a total of 235,496kms in 2004.

What type of calls do we do?

     With the variety in types of rural settings, from regional parks, to resort villages, to small towns to First Nation Indian Reserves, we attend to a wide variety of calls.

     In 2008, our call breakdown for the type of calls attended to are as follows...
 

What is the difference between Big River base and Spiritwood base?
    
     Spiritwood Ambulance Care is unique, in that in 1995, a satellite base was built in the town of Big River to assist in the growing need for further coverage in the area.  A satellite base enhanced the current service by decreasing response times and getting aid to those who need it quicker!

     This base and staff was essential in complimenting the existing health coverage by the local health facility and medical staff.  The base in Big River is staffed with three (3) full time employees and several other EMR's (emergency medical responders) who assist when needed.  With two bases covering such a vast area, Spiritwood Ambulance can maximize on efficient deployment based on circumstance and type of calls.

What are the different levels of training?

     There are several levels of training an individual can obtain in order to work in EMS.  There are basic levels like First Responders and EMR's-(Emergency Medical Responders) which require a small amount of volunteering and commitment. 

     Other levels include more advanced training and significantly more commitment and time.  These include EMT/PCP-(Emergency Medical Technician/Primary Care Paramedic), EMT-A/ICP-(Emergency Medical Technician-Advanced/Intermediate Care Paramedic).  Each level has a more advanced degree of education and skills that can be utilized in the profession.  In order to become and EMT-A/ICP, you must first be trained as an EMT/PCP.

     The last level of training is the EMT-P/ACP-(Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic/Advanced Care Paramedic).  This level requires prior training of EMT/PCP or EMT-A/ICP.  This level of training is much more extensive and thorough in anatomy, physiology, pharmacology and much more.
 

What is the difference between the different levels of training?

     There is a various differences in each level of training, involving primarily education and skill instruction.  Simply speaking, the more training...the more skills that can be performed and the treatment administered.  A chart below briefly compares the different levels.

How can someone be trained?
 
     The only training in Saskatchewan to become an EMT/PCP or higher is through SIAST-(Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology.  There are many other institutions throughout Canada, and there are many ways to still work in Saskatchewan within the guidelines set out by Saskatchewan Health.

     To learn more about the different levels of training, click the links below to be directed to specific SIAST web pages.

     To learn more about other SIAST programs, visit www.siast.sk.ca

How can someone apply for employment with Spiritwood Ambulance Care?

     Application and employment for Spiritwood Ambulance Care includes a six (6) step process.

1)  Application
          -Application For Employment form must be filled out and sent back to us with an up-to-date resume if applicable.  Once received, it will be placed in an active listing and once a position becomes available, applicants will be contacted.  If specific to an active job posting, resumes are reviewed accordingly and successful application move to next step of process.  Interested applicants must submit all applicable documentation (certifications, criminal record checks, etc.) with application and resume to be eligible.

The next four (4) steps are usually completed in one/same day (3-4 hour process), so interviewees should be prepared to complete steps 2, 3, 4 and 5 when scheduled for interview.

2)  Interview Process
          -If contacted, a interview will be arranged with management and supervisors. 

3)  Scenario Testing
          -After the interview, selected staff and supervisor(s) will assist and monitor a simulated scenario (either medical and/or trauma) to assess current skills and knowledge. A change of clothes/shoes may be required and should be considered.

4)  Lifting Module
          -Several mock lifting scenarios which includes lifting patients in-and-out of the ambulance, straight dead-lifts using the stretcher and a component involving stairs. (bring comfortable footwear/clothing)

5)  Saskatchewan Protocol Exam
          -A multiple choice exam testing current knowledge on Saskatchewan Protocols.  EMT/PCP applicants are expected to do the first 100 questions, as the EMT-A/ICP applicants are expected to do the first 125 questions, and the Paramedic/ACP applicants will answer all 150 questions.
          -If applicants need to review the current Saskatchewan Protocols, they can be found here. (click here)

6)  Employment Offer
          -Once all previous steps completed, a review will take place (several days as necessary) and an offer of employment either presented or not.

Should future applicants have any further questions, please feel free to Contact Us at any time for further information.

Check Out our Current Job Postings! (CLICK HERE)

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