When someone you know falls seriously ill, calling 9-1-1 can be a lifeline. Every day in Ottawa, paramedics respond to over 300 calls for medical emergencies. Many of those are calls for heart attacks, breathing emergencies or serious injuries.

There are a number of things to remember when calling 9-1-1:

• Communications officers will ask several key questions that help determine the seriousness of the call. By staying calm and answering all questions, you will help the person with the medical emergency receive help sooner.
• While you are answering questions, the dispatch system is sending paramedics to your location. Never hang up until the communications officer has all the necessary information.
• Collect all medications and medical history of the patient and have it ready when paramedics arrive.
• Keep all pets out of harm’s way by placing them in a closed room before the paramedics arrive.
• For serious injuries, communications officers are trained to provide callers with first aid instructions that will assist the person with the medical emergency. Communications officers can also provide CPR instructions.

The Ottawa Paramedic Service recommends a few simple steps you can take right now to prepare for that call:

• Have the residence address well displayed. It should be clearly visible at night and across the street from your home.
• Keep an updated list of medical problems, medications and allergies for all occupants of your home.
• When a medical emergency occurs, it can be very stressful for all involved. To assist seniors, children or visitors to your home who may have to call 9-1-1, place instructions on or near the telephone with information on how to access your apartment or home. This should include address, ring codes, closest major intersection or any other access information that will get paramedics to your location sooner.

These are just a few tips that will benefit the patient and their loved ones in a time of crisis. The Ottawa Paramedic Service recommends that everyone take First Aid and CPR courses. You can find several listed at ottawa.ca/firstaid.

For more information about the Ottawa Paramedic Service, please call our customer service line at 613-580-4771 or visit ottawa.ca.

“Christine’s caring and compassion for these majestic animals over the past 25 years has preserved an important piece of Ottawa’s history for generations to come,” said Mayor Jim Watson. “On behalf of City Council and the community, I want to thank Christine for all of her hard work.”

Ms. Hartig was recognized at the committee meeting for her tireless commitment to caring for the swans and to making sure they were safe and healthy. She had taken on this important role in addition to her job as a project and policy officer with the By-law and Regulatory Services Branch.

“Christine’s continuous commitment towards both people and animals has drawn admiration from her colleagues and the community,” said Councillor Mark Taylor, Chair of the Community and Protective Services Committee. “Her caring nature towards these lovely creatures is a heart-warming legacy that will live on in our City.”

The timing of the City’s recognition of Ms. Hartig’s tireless commitment to the Royal Swans coincides with the celebration of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012, which marks 60 years of the Queen’s reign. Her Majesty presented the ancestors of today’s Royal Swans to the former City of Ottawa as a gift to mark Canada’s Centennial year in 1967.

• Armpit level for harness chest clip
• One finger space only between harness straps and the child’s chest
• Secure child car seat to vehicle according to the child car seats user guide

“Following these simple steps doesn’t take a lot of time, but it’s incredibly important,” said Mayor Jim Watson. “Through this campaign we are raising awareness and, together, helping give our young residents the safety they need.”

“We all want our children to be safe,” said Councillor Harder. “Learning how to properly install car seats is one simple and tangible thing we can do as parents to make our children safer. I am thrilled to be here today to help draw attention to this important issue.”

“A properly used and installed child seat can significantly reduce the chance of a child being hurt or killed in a collision,” said Chief Bordeleau. “This program helps provide some easy tips people can use to keep their child passengers safer.”

As a part of National Road Safety Week and the Safer Roads Ottawa program, OPH highlighted its recent work to enhance public education, increase local partnerships, and develop child passenger safety resources.

“Motor vehicle collisions are the number one cause of death for children in Canada; however, a properly installed car seat can reduce the risk of serious injury or death, by as much as 74 per cent,” said Dr. Levy. “Unfortunately, our research indicates that most child passengers in Ottawa are not properly secured in vehicles. In 2011, two out of every three child passengers in front-facing and rear-facing child car seats were not properly secured.”

The Safer Roads Ottawa program is a leading community partnership between Ottawa Fire Services, Ottawa Paramedic Service, Ottawa Police Service, the Public Works department and Ottawa Public Health. It is committed to preventing or eliminating road deaths and serious injuries for all residents, through culture change, community engagement, and development of a sustainable safe transportation environment.

For more information on the A1 Secure campaign and car seat safety videos visit a1secure.ca or call Ottawa Public Health Information 613-580-6744 (TTY: 613-580-9656). You can also connect with OPH on Facebook and Twitter (@ottawahealth).

City employee recognized for her dedication to Ottawa’s Royal Swans

Ottawa – Christine Hartig, an employee with the City of Ottawa’s By-law branch, was presented with the title of Honourary Keeper of the Royal Swans at today’s Community and Protective Services Committee.

“Christine’s caring and compassion for these majestic animals over the past 25 years has preserved an important piece of Ottawa’s history for generations to come,” said Mayor Jim Watson. “On behalf of City Council and the community, I want to thank Christine for all of her hard work.”

Ms. Hartig was recognized at the committee meeting for her tireless commitment to caring for the swans and to making sure they were safe and healthy. She had taken on this important role in addition to her job as a project and policy officer with the By-law and Regulatory Services Branch.

“Christine’s continuous commitment towards both people and animals has drawn admiration from her colleagues and the community,” said Councillor Mark Taylor, Chair of the Community and Protective Services Committee. “Her caring nature towards these lovely creatures is a heart-warming legacy that will live on in our City.”

The timing of the City’s recognition of Ms. Hartig’s tireless commitment to the Royal Swans coincides with the celebration of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012, which marks 60 years of the Queen’s reign. Her Majesty presented the ancestors of today’s Royal Swans to the former City of Ottawa as a gift to mark Canada’s Centennial year in 1967.

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Le 17 mai 2012

Une employée municipale honorée pour son dévouement aux cygnes royaux

Ottawa – Christine Hartig, employée municipal à la Direction des règlements municipaux a reçu aujourd’hui le titre de Gardienne émérite des cygnes royaux à la réunion du Comité des services de protection et d’urgence.

«La nature bienveillante et la compassion de Christine envers ces superbes créatures depuis 25 ans a permis de préserver un pan important de l’histoire d’Ottawa pour les générations futures.», a déclaré le maire Jim Watson. «Au nom du Conseil municipal et de la communauté, je voudrais remercier Christine pour son travail assidu.»

Mme Hartig a été honorée à la réunion du comité en reconnaissance de son dévouement et de sa bienveillance inlassables afin d’assurer que les cygnes sont en santé et en sécurité. Elle occupe ce rôle important en plus d’être agente de projets et de politiques à la Direction des règlements municipaux.

«L’engagement et la compassion continus de Christine envers les personnes et les animaux ont attiré l’admiration de ses collègues et de la communauté», a déclaré le conseiller Mark Taylor, président du Comité des services de protection et d’urgence. «Sa nature bienveillante envers ces superbes créatures constitue un héritage émouvant qui perdurera dans notre ville.»

Alors qu’on honore Mme Hartig pour son inlassable dévouement aux cygnes royaux, sa Majesté la reine Elizabeth II célèbre son jubilé de diamant de 2012 marquant ses 60 années de règne. Sa Majesté a présenté les ancêtres des cygnes royaux d’aujourd’hui à l’ancienne Ville d’Ottawa en tant que cadeau marquant le centenaire du Canada en 1967.

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Renseignements :
Médias
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Grand public
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The program will offer free sponsorship training to help Ottawa’s local cultural organizations build mutually beneficial partnerships with the business community. Cultural organizations will also be invited to apply to artsVest for a total of $100,000 in matching incentive grants. When matched with sponsorship from the local business community, artsVest has the potential to flow more than $200,000 of investment into Ottawa’s cultural sector this year.

“This is an exciting opportunity to bring the public, private and cultural sectors together with a common goal of enhancing Ottawa’s cultural offerings,” said Mayor Watson. “ And since these investments can be generated as soon as next year, Ottawa residents and visitors are the real winners here.”

According to Business for the Arts, Ottawa has the ingredients to be a success story with growing potential for business benefactors and sustainable, diverse arts, heritage and culture offerings. “The jury evaluating Ottawa’s application was really excited about the breadth and range of local cultural programs that could benefit from artsVest’s matching grants,” said Business for the Arts President Nichole Anderson. “Ottawa’s bilingual character is also attractive as it will allow artsVest to reach a greater Francophone population.”

A recent economic study reported that Ottawa-Gatineau’s cultural industry (non-profit and for-profit) represented approximately 4.1 per cent of GDP, totalling $1.98 billion. In 2010, attendance and participation in Ottawa’s local cultural activity totalled 4.1 million, and 21,861 volunteers provided 519,755 volunteer hours (valued at $9.1 million) to the local cultural sector.

Other cities selected to be part of the 2012 Ontario artsVest program include Windsor, North Bay, Midland and Elliot Lake.

artsVest is a program of Business for the Arts and delivered with funding from the Government of Ontario, the Ontario Trillium Foundation and Canadian Heritage. Ottawa’s application was sponsored by the Council for the Arts in Ottawa, the Arts Ottawa East Arts Council and the Council of Heritage Organizations in Ottawa.

For more information on the artsVest program, visit www.artsvest.com.

The toolkit helps staff and employers promote May as Bike to Work Month and commuter cycling in general. The month-long campaign, brought to you by the City and coordinated by EnviroCentre, encourages people to choose cycling as an effective, fun and cheaper way to get to and from work. In addition to the environmental benefits, cycling to work has also been linked to increased workplace productivity and morale.

This year’s toolkit also contains a USB Stick with Ottawa specific videos, ready to go email messaging to encourage colleagues to cycle, posters, and presentation slides.

Visit www.biketoworkottawa.com to see the list of events and activities for both the seasoned rider and those just starting. While on the site, select “Participate to Win” and complete a pledge form and you will be automatically eligible to win several prizes – including a new bike from Kunstadt Sports.

Currently, Bike to Work toolkits are being mailed out to businesses and organizations across the city. To ensure your workplace receives one, contact EnviroCentre by e-mail at transport@envirocentre.ca or by phone at 613-656-0100 ext 111. Toolkits will also available online at biketoworkottawa.com.

On average, there are five drowning deaths per year in Ottawa. In Canada, drowning is the second leading cause of injury-related death for children, with an increased risk in children under the age of five.

This weekend and throughout the summer, please remember:

• Always keep children within arms’ reach, around and in the water;
• Never leave a child alone, whether it is in the bathtub, a swimming pool, river or lake;
• Make sure children and weaker swimmers wear lifejackets or personal flotation devices (PFD) in boats and around the water; and
• Supervise and swim with children only when free of alcohol, drugs, or distractions.

Many Ottawa residents will spend this weekend preparing for the summer. It is not too late to prepare for a safe summer.

You can still…

• Enrol yourself and your children in swimming lessons;
• Take a first aid and CPR course; and
• Install fencing around all pools, measuring at least five feet or 1.5 metres high and include a self-latching, self closing and lockable gate.

Now in its 13th year, the Ottawa Drowning Prevention Coalition is committed to raising the awareness of water safety and drowning prevention for parents, caregivers, children and youth. Whether it is at the cottage, campsite or in the backyard pool, drowning can happen in a matter of seconds.

The Ottawa Drowning Prevention Coalition is made up of representatives from Ottawa Fire Services, the Ottawa Paramedic Service, the Ottawa Police Service, Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services, Ottawa Public Health, the Canadian Red Cross and the Lifesaving Society.

“Deciding not to use your cell phone while driving is an easy and smart choice when considering the alternative could be causing a collision that results in injury or death,” said Mayor Jim Watson. “I encourage everyone to take the pledge and commit to making our roads safer for all pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists.”

The Leave the Phone Alone online awareness campaign will run locally until June 30, 2012. Motorists can fill out the pledge form stating that they will not use a cell phone or electronic device while operating their vehicle. While completing the form, they will also have the option of receiving a sticker and a bookmark featuring Leave the Phone Alone information.

“Safer Roads Ottawa is a ‘made in Ottawa’ approach. The main priority is to increase the safety of our roads and target distracted driving,” said Transportation Committee Chair Marianne Wilkinson. “Motorists are responsible for keeping their eyes on the road and not on their phones while driving.”

Between 2006 and 2010, 17 per cent of all reported collisions in Ottawa were a result of distracted driving and 33 per cent of all collisions involved a driver between the ages of 15 and 29.

To take the pledge, visit www.leavethephonealone.ca, or to find out more information about Safer Roads Ottawa visit ottawa.ca.

Using a hand-held phone to text or call while driving is illegal in Ontario and drivers who are caught breaking the law will be fined $155.

During the National Road Safety Week, the City of Ottawa will be conducting a series of awareness events and safety interventions focused on making our roads safer. These events include;

• Thursday, May 17- A1 Car Seat Initiative
• Friday, May 18- ERASE Program
• Thursday and Friday, May 17 and 18 – RIDE Program

The Safer Roads Ottawa Program is a community partnership between Ottawa Fire Services, Ottawa Paramedic Service, Ottawa Police Service, Ottawa Public Health and the Public Works Department who are committed to preventing or eliminating road deaths and serious injuries, through culture change, community engagement, and the development of a sustainable safe transportation environment.

Motorists travelling along the Airport Parkway near the work zone may also expect delays as speed limits are lowered throughout the duration of the construction of this project as a safety measure. Following demolition, work will continue to rebuild the main tower of the Airport Parkway pedestrian/cycling bridge.

Client services:

• Ottawa City Hall and all seven Client Service Centres, including the Government Service Centre located at 110 Laurier Avenue West will be closed on Victoria Day. Business will resume as usual on Tuesday, May 22.
• The City’s Provincial Offences Court, located at 100 Constellation Crescent, will also be closed on Victoria Day. Business will resume as usual on Tuesday, May 22.
• The City’s 3-1-1 Contact Centre will be open for urgent matters requiring the City’s immediate attention. Call 3-1-1 or 613-580-2400 to speak to a customer service representative. For persons living with a hearing-related disability, call (TTY: 613-580-2401).

Garbage and recycling:

• There will be no curbside green bin, recycling or garbage collection on Victoria Day. Victoria Day’s pick-up will take place on Tuesday, May 22. In addition, the collection of garbage and recycling materials will be delayed by one day for the week of May 21.
• There will be no Multi-residential recycling container collection on Victoria Day. Victoria Day’s pick-up will take place on Tuesday, May 22. Collection will also be delayed by one day for the week of May 21. However, multi-residential garbage container collection is not delayed and collection will take place on its regularly scheduled day during the week of May 21.
• The Trail Waste Facility is closed on Victoria Day.

Transit service:

• OC Transpo service will operate on a Sundayschedule on Victoria Day. Call 613-560-1000 or text 560560 plus your four-digit bus stop number for automated schedule information. For more information, holiday schedules and travel planning, phone 613-741-4390 or visit octranspo.com.
• OC Transpo Sales and Information Centres will be closed on Victoria Day, with the exception of the Rideau Centre office, which will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• The OCTranspo Information Centre (613-741-4390) will be open from 9 a.m. to 5p.m. on Victoria Day.
• OC Transpo Customer Relations (613-842-3600) will be closed on Victoria Day.

Recreation services:

• Many pools, fitness centres and some arenas will be open on Victoria Day for public swimming, skating and fitness classes with modified schedules. Please check withottawa.ca or the facility of your choice for details.
• Many registered programs at swimming pools, community centres and arenasare cancelled on Victoria Day, however, clients should check with their facilityto confirm, as some exceptions will apply.

Ottawa Public Health:

• Ottawa Public Health Information Line (OPHIL) and AIDS line – closed
• Sexual Health Centre – The site office at 179 Clarence Street will be closed on Monday, May 21, however, the site mobile van will be in normal schedule operation.
• Dental Clinics – Closed
• Well Baby Drop-in – Closed

Cultural Services:

• City of Ottawa Archives, arts centres, galleries, theatres and museums will be closed on Victoria Day. However, clients should check with ottawa.caor their facility to confirm holiday hours, as some exceptions may apply.

Municipal child care services:

• City-operated Child Care Centres will also be closed onVictoria Day.

Library services:

All branches, departments and services of the Ottawa Public Library will be closed on Victoria Day. Regular hours will resume on Tuesday, May 22.