CPR Training in Halton

In 2009 Halton Region EMS (Emergency Medical Services) responded to close to 31,000 calls. Of those about 360 were VSA (Vital Signs Absent). Meaning they showed no signs of life. Not breathing, no heartbeat, technically dead, but if someone is there and can quickly asses your situation and start early CPR, your chance of survival goes up dramatically.
We have all heard about how CPR saves lives. But it is just one link in the chain of survival for people who go into cardiac arrest.
The other part is having a nearby PAD (Public Access Defibrillators) near by and people trained to use them.
This past week our EMS Staff trained the Councillors on how to use the machines and gave us a CPR course. It took 90 minutes for 15 more people to be trained.
We received the new kits that we can pass on and train more people on how to do this simple, life saving technique.
Long before I was Chair of Health and Social Services I have always believed in the CPR/PAD chain. I had my first CPR course in 1981 and it took 8 hours.
Now in 90 minutes we can have people trained to recognise the signs of Heart attack or stroke, how to administer CPR and use a PAD.

The new kits have a DVD, small dummy and step by step instructions on how to use it..

When there is almost 1 call a day for a situation where CPR or PAD may need to be used. Would you not want to know how to save your loved one, neighbour or someone who needs assistance?
I feel Halton Region should strive to get more of its population trained. Approximately 30,000 have some CPR/Pad training. I would love to see us get that number to 50,000.
We need to figure out how to get there.
That one person per day could be a 16 yr old girl, a 80 yr old Grandfather, a 47 yr old mother or your son, daughter, mother, father or neighbour

2 New Fire Hall Opens

Yesterday, the Town along with our Regional and Provincial partners opened not 1 but 2 new Fire stations. One of the stations house a new Halton Region EMS station.
The funding for the station was divided between Halton Hills (6.4 Million), the Province of Ontario (1.9M) and Halton Region (1.1M). Halton Hills Hydro provided funding for the Geothermal system.

Our Chief Brent Marshall acted as the MC and welcomed, Mayor Bonnette, Chair Carr, Ted Arnott MPP and almost all members of Council to this historic event. The Chief of Police, Deputy Chief, members of other Fire and EMS services and of course our retired and Life members of the Fire Department all were in attendence.


The new buildings replace 2 old buildings here in the Town and have our fire department positioned well to the future. The EMS building was in fact the old Fire station on Chapel Street. The Headquarters was the old public works building that the Fire Department moved into almost 30 years ago as a “temporary site”

The Headquarters station built in Georgetown South will give all residents a piece of mind as it is located in the heart of the future growth area in the Town. This station features a “Heritage Room” which has displays of Fire Department memorabilia.as well as a 1942 restored Fire Truck. As is the case of all Fire Departments, that history always plays an important part of the daily lives of all Firefighters. They always acknowledge those who bravely put their lives on the line before them. Firefighter Al Scott deserves credit for doing a lot of research on the Fire Department.

Both the buildings were built to a minimum LEEDS Silver designation using such energy saving features as the geothermal heating, rain water harvesting, recycled materials and construction standards.

One of the highlights of the day was when former Fire Fighter Jimmy Valentine was recognized for his 42 years with the Fire Department in Georgetown. He started with the Georgetown Fire Dept in 1938 and served until 1980. A lane from the rear of the Station has been named “Valentine Lane” in his honour. At 97 Mr Valentine is still active fixing small engines and lawnmowers.


The Chief, Deputy Chiefs and staff deserve credit for working so hard to keep this project on track and budget. We had issues along the way but we have 2 buildings that will serve our community for many years.. Our Fire and Emergency Services Committee Chaired by Councillor Moya Johnson did a tremendous job of working through the problems that came up during the building of 2 stations at the same time.


The public are invited to a Community Open House planned for Sunday Oct 3 2010 from 1 to 4 at the Maple Street Station. It will be the kickoff to Fire Prevention Week.