Lyle Karasiuk shows the differences between an old and new defibrillator. (Michael Joel-Hansen/paNOW Staff)

By Michael Joel-Hansen

Parkland Ambulance celebrates milestone anniversary

Nov 21, 2019 | 2:30 PM

It has been 45 years since Parkland Ambulance Care started serving Prince Albert and the surrounding area.

The service began November 21 of 1974 by Barry and Wayne Dutchak. Parkland had a simple beginning according to Lyle Karasiuk, the director of public affairs with Parkland Ambulance.

“There was just in fact the two of them working from a very small garage [on the] opposite side of the street to where our 24^th Street 2^nd Avenue location is now,” he said.

The original ambulance used by Parkland would have looked similar to this one. (Michael Joel-Hansen/paNOW Staff)

During their early years, Karasiuk said the Dutchak’s did everything from keeping the books to going out to help people. The Dutchak family is still at the helm of the organization with Trevor, Barry’s son, overseeing the entire operation. Since it was established, the service went from two employees to over 60 today. This includes not only paramedics, but also people working in communications and on the administrative side.

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In his time being involved with Parkland, Karasiuk, who has been a paramedic since the late 1980s saw some of the growth firsthand. When he started medics were the ones answering the phone.

“You’d race into the building, answer the phone, take the information down, then get in your ambulance and get to the call,” he said.

The paramedic profession has also seen changes over this period of time. Karasiuk explained the profession has evolved into having its own self-regulating body with the Saskatchewan College of Paramedics. This is a far cry from early on when Karasiuk jokes people could just walk into an ambulance office.

“They said, ‘Do you have a proper licence? Yup. Do you have first aid and CPR? Yes. When can you start?’” he said.

An older piece of equipment once used by paramedics. (Michael Joel-Hansen/paNOW Staff)

Technology has changed the way the organization operates. Today Parkland, like many organizations, does a lot of work digitally. This is especially the case in the call centre, which besides taking calls, coordinates with other services.

“I couldn’t honestly do all of the tasks our medical communications staff do each and every day,” Karasiuk said.

Looking toward the future, Karasiuk said the organization sees lots of room to grow. One of the areas they are especially proud of is the community paramedics program, which sees specially trained medics attend to calls at retirement homes. Karasiuk said he sees this program as a real game changer as it can help keep people stay out of the hospital and be treated where they are.

Further improvements with medical technology allowing for more telehealth delivery is another area where Karasiuk sees the organization being able to play a role.

“I think that the future is endless for us in many ways,” he said.

The inside of one of Parkland’s newest ambulances. (Michael Joel-Hansen/paNOW Staff)

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MichaelJoel.Hansen@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @mjhskcdn