Students from Liverpool are getting an inside look at what it's like working as a paramedic in Ontario.
Students from John Moores University in the UK, came to the province as part of an exchange program with Centennial College in Toronto.
Students from Liverpool at the CKFES Headquarters. March 29, 2017. (Photo by Natalia Vega)
The program allows the exchange students to get an idea of what it's like working in urban centres. Thanks to coordination between Centennial College and Chatham-Kent Fire and Emergency Services (CKFES), the students were also able to have an idea of what the job is like in a small rural community.
The learning experience began at CKFES headquarters, Wednesday morning.
"I think when you're training to be a paramedic -- I think they really need to see that a lot of things are very much the same with the job," says Scott Ramey, assistant chief for CKFES. "But when you do get out into a rural environment you have some different challenges. We have a smaller population density over a much, much larger area."
Simon Chambors, a second-year student -- originally from Ireland, says Liverpool gets a lot more EMS calls than Chatham-Kent. However, the severity of the calls aren't as extensive.
"I think what happens here tends to be a bit more serious and [there seems to be] a lot more trauma over here," says Chambors. "In terms of problems facing the service [in Liverpool], it's the growing age population, the opium problem, [and] addiction problems."
After a brief presentation, students took a few steps outside to go up in the bucket on the aerial ladder. While they waited, students spoke amongst themselves and with local crews.
Exchange students at the CKFES Headquarters. March 29, 2017. (Photo by Natalia Vega)
"It's good to see how other cultures operate," says Marty Lambert, of Liverpool. "It's reassuring that there's [some] of the same pressures internationally."
Even though it's the exchange student's who are getting the culture shock, students from Toronto say it's beneficial to hear what it's like to work as a paramedic in a different country.
"I think it's an experience that's mutually beneficial to both sides," says Jordan Robertson, a first-year student from Centennial College. "You can be exposed to different services in your region but ... to see how they're organized, how they're structured, and how that compares to our services that we offer here in Ontario is really cool."
In terms of leaving home -- whether that's Toronto or Liverpool -- it's not something many were too keen on.
"Maybe eventually I might want to branch out because I do like the country side, but I'll probably start off in Toronto because that's where I'll do my ride-outs," says Kelly Deschamps, a first-year student from Centennial College.
After spending some time at the CKFES headquarters, the group went to the HealthPlex to go over simulations.
Overall, it was a busy day for all of the students and faculty.
First in the bucket are faculty members from centennial college. #ck pic.twitter.com/cdyHGMBd1d
— Natalia Vega (@NataliaV_News) March 29, 2017