BY GLENN J. NASHEN

Tip of the hat to the Côte Saint-Luc EMS volunteers who drove and marched in the St. Patrick's Day parade. CSL's excellent volunteer service was recognized by those from far and near and even received a wave (of support, we hope) from Mayor Gérald Tremblay.

On Tuesday, March 20, Medics Michael Glazer and Luc Marchand were dispatched to a call for an injured 70 year old woman in a car accident on Cavendish Blvd. The crew found a vehicle had driven down a driveway at high speed, and instead of turning into the open garage door, crashed into the building’s Hydro control room.

Damage to the car was extensive - side windows broken, windshield cracked, the entire front end compacted into the engine compartment. Both airbags deployed and oil and other flammable fluids littered the ground. Luckily, the car had narrowly missed some high-power Hydro transformers.

Thanks in no small part to the safety devices in the car, when the crew arrived, the patient, albeit shaking and exhibiting signs of shock, was standing outside her vehicle, fully conscious.

The crew immediately stabilized the patient, holding her head steady, putting on a cervical collar and immobilizing her neck to prevent further injuries. The patient had severe neck pain, so no chances were taken. Abrasions were also found on her arms, possibly from the deployed airbag.

The patient was assessed and had an irregular heart rhythm.

When Urgences Santé arrived four minutes later, the four members from both services worked in concert to perform a 'standing take-down', where the patient is placed against a backboard and brought down from a standing position to a lying position.

EMS medics and the two ambulance technicians slid the patient onto a Vac Mat, a specialized immobilization device resembling and air mattress that wraps around the patient and deflates with a foot pump to ensure a snug fit.

During the call the patient was continuously reassured and calmed down by the EMS crew. Another excellent response by EMS skilled volunteers. Visit www.SaveEMS.com.

Welcoming Michel Martel

Welcome Michel Martel, newly appointed manager of CSL PS. A 30-year veteran and investigator in the Montreal Police Department, Martel now heads up our team of local enforcement officers who help make our town safer.

We wish a speedy recovery to one of CSL's finest public security officers who fell on the ice while on duty during the last snow storm and fractured his ankle. We hope to see him back on the road real soon.

The next class of recruits is nearly filled for CSL Volunteer Citizens on Patrol. Visit www.CoteSaintLuc.org and click on vCOP under Public Safety if you are interested in joining. Our members were recently trained in CPR and in the use of our two donated automated external defibrillators further expanding CSL's network of potential lifesavers. Our public security officers received this training three months ago. AEDs, simple to use equipment that shocks a victim in cardiac arrest back to life, are now located in both PS and vCOP vehicles as well as in City Hall, the arena and gymnasium.



• Glenn J. Nashen is the Côte Saint-Luc city councillor responsible for public safety