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Could drones bring defibrillators, life-saving tools to emergency scenes?

As part of cardiac-arrest response strategy, county working with drone company for permissions to fly equipment directly to the location
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It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s a drone delivering life-saving equipment during an emergency in Simcoe County.

Cutting-edge technology could be coming to Simcoe County municipalities to help aid in improving paramedic response times, according to a report considered by county council at Tuesday's meeting.

The report outlines the development of a newly enhanced cardiac arrest response strategy being undertaken by County of Simcoe Paramedic Services, which would see on-call volunteers trained in first-aid techniques and drones being used to deliver defibrillators, EpiPens or naloxone in emergency situations.

“Simcoe County’s geography and population distribution create challenges for responders to arrive in time to make a difference,” noted County of Simcoe Paramedic Chief Andrew Robert in his report to council. “Even with strategic placement and use of existing emergency response resources across our region, an engaged community, ready and able to assist with (CPR) and defibrillation along with the use of advanced technology, represent significant opportunities to increase the chances of survival.”

There are three main opportunities being developed as part of the new strategy. First, training on how to use a defibrillator and perform first-aid is planned to be expanded county-wide in places such as schools.

Second, a new community responder program is being proposed. Community responders would be alerted through the use of a smartphone app of a potential cardiac arrest near them. Community responders could include existing members of the first-response community or health-care workers.

“In rural or remote areas, these responders may represent the closest and quickest available help to someone in need,” noted Robert.

Barrie Coun. Ann-Marie Kungl asked if retired first-responders or health-care workers would be eligible to volunteer with the community responder program.

“I don’t think anything is out of scope at this point in time. Since everything is very preliminary, we certainly can look at both,” said Jane Sinclair, the county's general manager of health and emergency services.

The last opportunity is using drones to deliver resources such as defibrillators, EpiPens, or naloxone to identified areas based on a 911 call.

Once a call is categorized and geo-located by the ambulance dispatch centre, a drone would be immediately launched to deliver resources to a call location. When the drone makes a delivery, two-way communication with a paramedic can be established to coach those on-scene on the use of the equipment.

The drone technology is being provided through a partnership with Volatus Aerospace. According to the report, the expenses for the drone project are about $70,000, which is being 50 per cent funded by the County of Simcoe through the paramedic 2021 operating budget. Future plans and costs for the project will be considered during 2022 budget deliberations.

The report says Volatus is working with Transport Canada to shape flight regulations to support the approach.

Bradford West Gwillimbury Deputy Mayor James Leduc asked if the county would be sharing a patent on the technology with Volatus.

“I see this program as being an absolute benefit to everybody throughout Canada, Ontario and Simcoe County,” said Leduc.

Sinclair said it was very early in the process, adding the county and Volatus still need certain approvals before operating the program.

“We will bring back more information in a future report regarding potential opportunities. I think the intent is to trial, seek approvals and then to incorporate those as part of our emergency response program going forward,” said Sinclair.


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Jessica Owen

About the Author: Jessica Owen

Jessica Owen is an experienced journalist working for Village Media since 2018, primarily covering Collingwood and education.
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