About Us
The Comox Valley Ambulance Paramedic Volunteer Bike Squad was formed in the summer of 2007 in response to the hundreds of requests we receive to provide First Aid Services at Community Events throughout the year. We started by first approaching our employer (the BC Ambulance Service) with an expression of interest. Although they expressed support in principle they were unable to fund such a program. In the preceding weeks nineteen Paramedics, First Responders and Emergency Medical Responders canvassed local businesses and community groups to help us purchase Bicycles, Medical Equipment, Uniforms, Helmets and First Aid Supplies. We were met with unprecedented support and within four weeks we had purchased 2 bicycles and the equipment needed to attend our first event on the BC Days weekend. Thanks to a local auto dealership we even had a truck to help transport the team and bikes.
In the first two months of our program (August and September 2007) we had attended close to a dozen events, volunteered 600+ hours, treated close to eighty patients, had seven ambulances transport seriously ill / injured patients to the hospital. In addition our team members have handed out 400+ slurpee coupons to kids wearing helmets and other safety equipment while cycling / skateboarding.
TEAM ASSETS
Our team is equipped with all of the typical supplies and medications you would expect to find a Paramedic carrying. Our bicycles operate as a team only and carry six modules; Defibrillator, Airway Module, Intravenous / Medication Module, Assessment Module, Trauma Module, and Oxygen Equipment. We also have two support vehicles, a 2005 Dodge Dakota 4x4 and 1999 Dodge Ambulance used as a staging area and mobile First Aid Post.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
Although we donate 100% of our time to this program there are considerable operational expenses associated. We rely soley on donations from the events we attend as well as the community at large. Without generous community support we would not be able to continue offering a professional safety program of this magnitude. Honorariums for events we attend are always much appreciated as well.
Additional funds received through our Society are used to promote
Head Injury Awareness and the use of Helmets and other safety equipment.
PARAMEDICS SAVE LIVES - So do helmets!
