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North Leeds E 7 volume | Nutme q NOVE'HBek , “T17 AMBULANCE HELPERS CRY "HELP!" The time has come when the people of the area in and around Seeley's Bay, who have enjoyed the comfort and pro- tection of an ambulance serâ€" vice since 1960, must either bolster the ranks of particiâ€" pants of the service or admit defeat and allow the service to become memory. Since 196V when the Voluntary Fire Department of Seeley's Bay initiated this community service, it functioned efficiently, quietly and proudâ€" ly by the volunteers of the district. Numerous services were rendered without remunâ€" eration to either the attendâ€" ants or the Department for in these early days, it was the responsibility of the patient to pay directly for the serâ€" vice. If payment was received, it was considered unusual but' most appreciated. A true com- munity service given to help one another unselfishly and often without reward. In 1969 the Ontario Government, Ministry of Health, formed its Emergency Health Service Branch and supplied this onâ€"going ser- vice with an equipped vehicle, radio communication devices and money to provide for payment for those participating in the service as driverâ€"attendants, of support (office) staff, operation expenses, rent to the Fire Department for vehicle storage space in their Fire Hall, and all and sundry needed to continue the humanitarian service of the Seeley's Bay Voluntary Ambulance Service. d At this moment, this service is in serious jeopardy of con- not because of lack of equipment nor lack of money for operating expenses of or, , ..m staff payment I. Stanley Webb _ and certain- 1y not because of the lack of demand for the service (165 patients carried per year) but rather for the lack of sufficient responsible people to engage some of their spare time in this adventuresome and exciting brotherly act of man aiding man at critical times. ,tinued existence- It is to be =oped that complac~ ency has not become the twin edge of the wedge of rural social rot. A service such as this cannot exist without people. Over the number of years of existence t'is serâ€" vice has rarely demanded of the public in general for help. Those believed interested and capable were invited or volunâ€" teered to become involved. Money was offered to offset some of the discomforts of duty but was never meant to pay adequately for the time and devotion needed to fulfill the duties of the "Duty Volun- teer”. Bonuses of special jackets were given and were proudly worn to justly indicate participation in this worthâ€" while service. Social gatherâ€" ings were encouraged for mem~ bers and other events were attempted to encourage others to join the ranks of the privileged few who could and would be there when needed. All this has been to no avail to date. New members come and go for a variety of reasons, most of which are reasonable and beyond control; old mem- bers get older and weary of repeatedly being "on duty" and, understandably, resign. Just at this time, the participants in the service are at an all time low. Twenty-five to Thirty members makes an excellâ€" ent number of available mem- bers to allow coverage for those assuming the "on duty" role (which means the person must be within a reasonable distance (3 miles) from the Fire Hall and carry a Page Master at all times). The number has dwindled to a total of ELEVEN members and since many of these work during the normal day, there leaves no one availabe for that period and the Ambulance has been "OUT OF SERVICE“ many days in the recent past â€" a deplorable situation. Continued on page 2 FIRE DEXVRUYS BROKE KILLS Where there is fire there is smoke. We know that smohe occurs first, it can kill you before the fire even reaches the room you occupy. Smoke, which is toxic, gradually seeps into a room while someone is sleeping. The smoke replaces the oxygen and the person be- comes unconscious, bre7ths slower and finally not at all. In 1976, nearly 1010 peeple in Canada lost their livas as a result of fires. Twenty- five per cent were children. Most of the fires occurred in homes during the night while the occupants were sleeping. These fires resulted from careless smoking, faulty electrical wiring, faulty heatâ€" ing equipment, etc. The firemen of Seeley's Fay Fire Dept. are concerned as are all Fire Department in North Leeds. Many fires have been fousht with blood, sweat and tears, especially tears when they remove bodies from the debris. Many of these fires could have been prevented, with no loss of life, if the oc- cupants had been warned as soon as smoke appeared. A modern smoke detector inâ€" stalled in the house will proâ€" vide that warning. These detectors, which should be in every home, are available from many reputable firms. They are powered by electric current or by batteries. The electric detectors should be wired directly from the main panel of the building so that electrice ity is always assured. We urgently recommend that all new buildings have a separate wirâ€" ing circuit for fire detectors. The Township Council of the Rear of Leeds and Lansdowne , have recently passed a motion to that effect. The bamery fire detectors are powered by a battery which will last one year. When the battery becomes weak a device emits a sound every 30 seconds for seven days. This gives the occupant ample time to re~ place the battery. These detectors should be installed in the basement or in hallways, usually on the ceiling. They should be tested frequently by holding a cigarette, candle or a match near them. When activated they give a shrill sound of 80 decibels or higher. The price of these detectors is approximately fifty dollars. The installation for electric ones is extra. Continued on Page 2 'i