Mohawk Council of Akwesasne
Akwesasne Mohawk Ambulance
The Akwesasne Mohawk Ambulance (AMA) is an Advanced Life Support ambulance service that operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, employing 21 staff on 2 –12 hour shifts. The AMA Advanced Life Support status allows the AMA to provide the highest level of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) care to Akwesasne by Akwesasronon. AMA currently employs 3 Critical Care level technicians, 1 Paramedic, 4 Advanced Emergency Medical Technicians, 13 Emergency Medical Technicians, and 2 admin staff.
AKWESASNE EMERGENCY DISPATCH: 613-575-2000
AKWESASNE MOHAWK AMBULANCE
The Akwesasne Mohawk Ambulance (AMA) is an Advanced Life Support (ALS) ambulance service that operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 days a year, employing 24 staff on 2 –12 hour shifts. Our service covers the entire community of Akwesasne, St. Regis, Snye, Cornwall Island and the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe.
HISTORY
The Mohawk Council of Akwesasne Ambulance Unit (Akwesasne Mohawk Ambulance (AMA) was established in December of 1981. They were formally known as the St. Regis Ambulance. Prior to the establishment of the service, people in the community had to rely on outside sources for emergency medical services, and sometimes had to wait up to forty-five minutes for an ambulance to arrive. The leadership at that time had decided that waiting for that length of time in an emergency situation was unacceptable, and decided the only way to properly care for the people was to start their own ambulance service. The service employed 8 personnel with American Red Cross Certified Advance First Aid with 2 Supervisors and a Manager.
By 1985, they were receiving training through the New York State Department of Health as Emergency Medical Technicians.
In 1986, due to the growing medical needs of the community, the Akwesasne Emergency Team (A-Team), a volunteer rescue squad from Hogansburg was created to respond to calls on the southern portion of the community.
In 1987 the Akwesasne Emergency Team (A-Team) turned their equipment, vehicles and Certificate of Need over to the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne’s Ambulance Unit. Many of the volunteers joined Akwesasne Mohawk Ambulance.
Akwesasne Mohawk Ambulance personnel were then required to acquire New York State EMT certification along with that certification, they gained medical control through New York State under the Mountain Lakes Regional EMS Council.
From 1987 to 2012 the Akwesasne Mohawk Ambulance was the sole responding ambulance on the territory of Akwesasne, which includes the three Districts of Kawehnoke, Kanatakon, and Tsisnaihne, the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe in the New York State portion of the community and the islands in the St. Lawrence River.
In 2012 due to the growing medical needs of the community several mutual aid agreements were created. Massena Rescue and Seaway Valley Ambulance agreed to help out the community and answer medical calls when the Akwesasne Mohawk Ambulance was out on calls.
In 2016 the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe decided to hire Seaway Valley Ambulance to cover the southern portion of the territory. Akwesasne Mohawk Ambulance now serves as a back up service for the American side.
Currently they provide Advanced Life Support Care to local hospitals following the Mountain Lake EMS District Protocols, to approximately 20,000 Akwesasronon and the traveling public. At this time, they are responding to about 2000 calls per year. This call volume has increased due to the Akwesasne Mohawk Casino Resort and numerous businesses and gas stations that line Route 37 on the southern portion of the community.
COVERAGE AREA
The Akwesasne Mohawk Ambulance responds to all calls on the territory of Akwesasne, which includes the three Districts of Kawehnoke, Kanatakon, Tsisnaihne and the islands in the St. Lawrence River.
The St. Regis Mohawk Tribe, which is located in New York State portion of the reserve currently contracts EMS services with Seaway Valley Ambulance out of Massena NY. Akwesasne Mohawk Ambulance answers calls on the New York State portion when requested by the St Regis Mohawk Tribal Police.
If you live or work on the New York State portion of the reserve and you wish to have Akwesasne Mohawk Ambulance respond to your emergency, please call (613)575-2000.
COMMUNITY TRUST
Akwesasne Mohawk Ambulance recently participated in a “Little Heroes Safety Day” event held at the St. Regis Rec. The participants of Safety Day dressed up as superheroes and completed a safety checklist. Akwesasne Mohawk Ambulance staged a “fall down and go boom” CPR demonstration where the superheroes had to do two compressions and ventilate twice to save the day, followed by a superhero pose for a picture in the back of the ambulance.
Police Officers from the Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service recently trained with EMTs from Akwesasne Mohawk Ambulance on stretcher and ambulance operations. Training was implemented to assist AMPS officers with equipment identification so that they can help AMA EMTs on calls if needed.
Akwesasne Mohawk Ambulance was requested to attend the new Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Building dedication. Unit 4 attended the event and participated in the ceremonial dances.
Members of Akwesasne Mohawk Ambulance train with the new Stryker XPS power load system. The state of the art system was delivered along with the new Demers Unit 4 Ambulance that was made possible by the Akwesasne Community Settlement Trust.
Unit 5 and Unit 4 participate in the Hogansburg Memorial Day Parade. These units are the newest addition to the Ambulance Fleet. They were made possible by the Akwesasne Community Settlement Trust.
Members of Akwesasne Mohawk Ambulance pose with Unit 4 during EMS Week festivities. Unit 4 and all her advanced equipment was made possible by the Akwesasne Community Settlement Trust.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF AN EMT
EMTs or Emergency Medical Technicians are the health care professionals who initially assess the condition of the patients and determine the necessary course of action. These workers provide medical support to the patients while they are carried to the hospitals. They respond to the emergencies arising out of causalities like criminal violence, natural disasters, fires, air and land accidents, etc.
Prerequisites for Becoming an EMT
Candidates who look forward to making their career as an emergency medical technician must meet the following conditions:
- You must have attained the age of 18 years and possess a high school diploma or GED.
- Complete the state-approved EMT program. Courses are normally between 150 and 180 Hours.
- Pass the State Certification Test, in order to obtain a license issued by the state.
- You are expected to have a clean criminal background.
- Acquire CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) certification.
Skills Required
Besides meeting the above requirements, candidates are supposed to possess the following qualities:
- Excellent communication skills
- Problem-solving skills
- Physical strength
- Listening skills
- Interpersonal skills
- Compassion
Duties and Responsibilities of an EMT
- Drive to the scene and provide basic life support to the victims before they are transported to the hospital.
- Determine the right course of action after evaluating the patient’s condition.
- Provide medical aid such as AED, CPR, prevent spinal damage, ventilation, control severe bleeding, prevent shock, bandaging wounds, etc., to stabilize their condition.
- Clean the equipments. Check and replace the used and damaged supplies.
- Transfer patients to the emergency units of the hospital.
- Administration of activated charcoal, oral glucose, and oxygen.
- Prepare a patient care report and take notes of the medical treatment given to them.
- Sterilize the ambulance’s interior, if it is used to carry a patient suffering from infectious disease.
- Restock all supplies in the ambulance and replace used blankets, linens, and other supplies.
- Calm down the victims’ family members.
- Attend refresher program and continuing education as required by medical control, employers, certifying or licensing agencies.
Work Environment
The job of an EMT is emotionally as well as physically demanding. They have to work on weekends and in odd hours, and in conjunction with emergency care assistants, paramedics, police, and firefighters. These workers are generally employed by inter-hospital transport services, ambulance services, rescue and fire departments, and healthcare facilities. At times, the job of EMTs seems to be stressful as they have to shoulder a lot of responsibilities during emergency conditions. Their profession involves bending, kneeling, and moving and lifting the patients. They are exposed to injuries and contagious diseases. But, this career gives you a mental satisfaction as you save the lives of several people going through a critical phase.
Source: http://www.akwesasne.ca/health/akwesasne-mohawk-ambulance/
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REGISTERED NURSE
Reporting to the DOC, the Registered Nurse (RN) is accountable to provide professional nursing care to residents and supervise care given by Registered Practical Nurses (RPN) and Personal Support Workers (PSW).
PERSONAL SUPPORT WORKER
Under the direct supervision of the Director of Care, Registered Nurse and Registered Practical Nurse, the Personal Support Worker is responsible for providing direct resident personal care and assisting residents in all activities of daily living in accordance with the Long Term Care Homes Act, 2007 and regulations 79/10 and all other legislation.
INCLUSION SUPERVISOR
Under the direction and supervision of the Superintendent of Student Services, the Inclusion Supervisor is a professional who assumes lead responsibilities for the direction, coordination and supervision of the Special Education staff and process in the assigned buildings from screening through identification.
Kanien’kéha Teachers
Under the direction and supervision of the School Principal, the incumbent will provide instruction/support to all students under his/her charge following the prescribed Kanien’kéha curriculum guidelines; maintain lesson plans and long range instructional plans.