paramedic

Yukon Career Paths Blog

'A real team environment': Emergency Medical Services in the Yukon

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Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in the Yukon travel in many ways. They use ambulances on roads but also use airplanes for medevac as well as snowmobiles, ATVs and even mountain bikes to reach people.

Let's learn more about Yukon EMS as we continue our Q&A series meeting staff with Yukon Health and Social Services. Ryan is the deputy chief of technical operations with Yukon EMS. He has worked in many parts of Canada over the years and today works in Whitehorse. Let's meet Ryan and learn about his role with the Government of Yukon.

paramedic in an airplane
All aboard! EMS travel throughout the Yukon. Alkan Air operates three dedicated air ambulance aircraft in support of Yukon Emergency Medical Services.

What makes for a good day at work?

A good day at work here involves working with the amazing team that we have. From our primary care paramedics to advanced care paramedics, to critical care paramedics and flight nurses to our fleet and logistics team, our dispatchers and all the admin support that we have. Yukon EMS is a real team environment.

building
This building is one of two EMS stations in Whitehorse.

What’s unique about working in the Yukon?

We have a few specialty teams in the Yukon. One is the Yukon EMS bike team. They’re a rapid access team that deploys between mid-May until about early September in Whitehorse. That team is staffed by two paramedics and they're operating on bikes.

We also have remote access medics. They’re a new team for Yukon EMS. These are paramedics who train with the RCMP to respond to remote rescues within the Yukon. They get extra training surrounding how to work with RCMP, operate on ATVs, UTVs, snowmobiles and boats. They get summer training and winter training.

The other thing is we have in the Yukon is a peer support team. We have Thorin, through the Pacific Assistance Dogs Society, who is a furry member of our team who is there to support with mental wellness and some of the difficulties which comes from working as a paramedic.

ambulance
Most EMS calls are answered by ambulance, but not all. During the summer, a rapid-response team uses bicycles to travel in Whitehorse in order to reach people and travel multi-use paths. There are also paramedics who train with Yukon RCMP. These Remote Access Medics learn to use snowmobiles, ATV, UTVs and other vehicles to get to where they are needed.
paramedics
Yukon EMS has primary care paramedics stationed in Watson Lake and Dawson supported through the Community Responder Program. 13 volunteer stations who work with partners at local health centres to provide EMS care throughout Yukon communities.

How did people support you when you started?

I was fortunate when I first moved here! One of our retired superintendents let me crash with him for the first month until I could find a place to stay... We've continued that tradition here in the Yukon helping when new paramedics are coming up to work with us here at Yukon EMS.

paramedic in training facility
Yukon EMS also has a comprehensive training facility in Whitehorse as well.  Medical and nursing simulation mannequins simulate many interventions on people of all ages from babies to adults.
baby mannequin
Here's a look at another training mannequin! This little one focuses on a person’s first 10 minutes of life, providing training in critical interventions such as airway management.

What advice would you have for someone considering a career in Yukon healthcare? 

I would say if you are interested in being a paramedic or a flight nurse with Yukon Emergency Medical Services, reach out to us! Ask your questions we're here to help. We're here to answer any questions that you might have about living in the North, the Yukon and what working for Yukon EMS is like.