Ed Carlson is retiring from his position as Deputy Chief of RR District Paramedic Services.
Ed started his career with Paramedic Services 33 years ago.
He started out as a volunteer and did that for three years. He remembers both the Emo volunteer fire and ambulance departments were both looking for Volunteers. More people were choosing to volunteer for the fire department so Ed made the decision to volunteer for paramedics.
He was 28 years old at the time. He shared with me his first call. Even though I was talking to him over the phone, I could hear his anxiety as he relived the experience. He was on a call for a person having chest pain. He remembers saying to himself, ‘man, I don’t know what I’m doing here.’ From there Ed received more training and education, which continued up until today. Ed studied and passed a two and a half year Emergency Medical Care Attendant (EMCA)course, through distance education. After the six hour provincial exam, Ed was a fully qualified paramedic.
Ed started working out of the Fort Frances Detachment as a casual worker. He was a paramedic from 1990 to 2005. He covered calls from Rainy River to Atikokan. In 2005 Ed took on the title of Deputy Chief for the RR District Paramedic Services.
Ed has fond memories working with a Grace Silander. Grace started up the ambulance satellite base in Emo, and training many paramedics on first response.
At this time, the RRDDSAB administered the monies to the hospital for the paramedic services throughout the district.
In 2007 RRDSSAB took over this service. At this time Atikokan was included with the Rainy River District. Dan McCormick became Ed’s boss and the two of them shared a great working relationship.
When asked how things have changed over the years, Ed didn’t have to think long.
“It’s changed immensely,” he said. Paramedics are now starting IV’S, giving medications, with new medications added regularly, and performing many other medical procedures.
“It’s almost like a mini emergency room in an ambulance,” he said. “When I first started as a paramedic it was like a ‘scoop and run’ – pick patient up and get to hospital as fast as you could. That’s definitely not the role for paramedics today.”
Another dynamic change today for paramedics is powerload stretchers and advancement in equipment that allows less wear and tear on the bodies of paramedics. Ed also mentioned, his staff were strong and fit.
When questioned about our paramedics services in the Rainy River District I was told, “we are on the cutting edge of the latest advances, latest machines, documenting.”
As in all things in life the paramedic services do have a limited budget, but they make the best of it.
One highlight of Ed’s career was receiving the Governor General Award in 2013, for exemplary service.
Prior to Ed’s career as a paramedic, he was in the Army; he joined at 18. After that he did several jobs, working in the bush, in carpentry and for the Township of Emo.
Ed tried many things before he found his true passion. With his fellow paramedics, connections with RRDSSAB, patients and all the people that made up his paramedic career, he has laughed, shared and endured heartache, he’s worked with wonderful people, made life long friends along the way and come to treasure his district.
Ed is hanging up his uniform on January, 31, at the age of 61.
He will spend more time with his wife Diane, son Luke, daughter in law Lacey and his two grandsons Archer and Emmett.
Time will be spent at their cabin in Clearwater, which can be enjoyed year round, there are tasks to do on the farm. Ed has a trap line, raises bees, and is involved in his church.
It’s easy to see, he will be as fulfilled in his retirement as he was in his Deputy Chief days.
I asked Ed if he would encourage people to chose a career as a paramedic.
“It’s not for everyone,” he said. “But those who embrace it will find it rewarding. There’s a 30 year longevity with it, advancement, and support along the way.”
I’d like to wish Ed all the best on his retirement from the entire district, thank you for your dedicated years of services. May you enjoy your retirement as much as you’ve enjoyed your life as the Deputy Chief of RR District Paramedics Services.
