Becoming a Paramedic
A Day in the Life of a Peel Paramedic
Behind and on the scene
When seconds count, Paramedics give us all it takes
They restart failed heartbeats, stop asthma attacks, deliver babies and administer life-saving medications. Peel paramedics bring emergency room knowledge and advanced medical techniques on the road and into homes of Peel residents.
During the week of May 15th-21st, we celebrate the accomplishments and professionalism of paramedics, particularly in Peel where Regional Council has declared this week, Paramedic Week.
Paramedics such as Martin Wood respond to approximately 65,000 calls each year in Peel.
“With people’s lives in our hands, we can’t afford to have a bad day,” says Martin, an Advanced Care Paramedic with the Region of Peel who has been responding to emergencies for over 14 years.
Paramedics are trained and prepared to respond to anything, but high-intensity emergency scenes put their skills to the test. Time after time, no matter what the trauma, paramedics show extreme focus on the patient to make sure each one is individually cared for and dealt with the best way possible.
“We’ve come a long way as a profession,” says Martin.
Starting his career as a Primary Care Paramedic (PCP), Martin decided to continue his education and further develop his pre-hospital care skills as an Advanced Care Paramedic (ACP) back in 1998.
As an ACP, Martin is able to apply additional advanced patient care skills such as intubating patients (inserting a tube down the throat to assist breathing), providing vital fluids through an IV, and administering a greater number of life-saving drugs.
“Today we’re better equipped to identify the signs and symptoms of patients and then apply the right care. I love coming to a job every day knowing that I’m here to help people when they need it most,” says Martin.
Throughout his career, Martin has had his share of emotional tests. He’s taken relatives to the hospital and has developed friendships with patients.
In 1993, Martin recalls a Filipino man he got to know from responding to a number of calls. It wasn’t long before his patient was offering martial arts lessons. After only eight months, his new friend died when he lost his battle with cancer.
In 14 years, Martin has had a number of partners to back him up. Until just recently, he worked alongside colleague Tom Kukolic who recently decided to become an ACP.
“Tom and I made a great team – he cares about his patients, he’s smart and knows the job. We communicated well – on any given call this meant great communication with the whole service, including police, fire and the hospital,” says Martin.
“This crew is an example of what every paramedic strives to achieve. They complete each call like it’s the most important. Whether with patients, family members, fellow paramedics, hospital staff or allied services, they’re extremely professional and have earned the respect of their colleagues,” says PRAS District Supervisor Jeff McWilliam.
According to Martin, Peel’s Paramedic team has a great combination of both new and old blood. What’s more, those who come into the field from another bring new ideas and add to the knowledge and experience of paramedicine. Philip Burfoot, another of Peel’s paramedics, came from the tool and dye industry and shares his understanding of caring for those injured in industrial environments with colleagues.
Martin has spent most of his life and his entire career in the Region of Peel - working out of Tedlo station in Mississauga (just north of Cawthra and Queensway).
“I work with a lot of special people. We’re highly-skilled professionals who have what it takes to provide the best pre-hospital care when every second counts,” says Martin.
In an emergency, always call 9-1-1
