Toronto EMS is pleased to present Paramedic Goodyear Bear. PG Bear is the goodwill ambassador for Toronto EMS.
It is through the generous contribution of Goodyear Canada that PG Bear represents Toronto EMS. Goodyear Canada, the corporate sponsor of the Toronto EMS Teddy Bear Program, has asked "PG" to oversee this highly successful program. PG Bear's duties will also include the promotion of safety, special events and EMS awareness.
PG has met a lot of people in the time he has been with Toronto EMS. He loves to have his picture taken with them and is collecting these pictures in a scrapbook of memories.
The Teddy Bear Program - better known as the Hug-A-Bear Program - was implemented by Toronto EMS in 1996 through sponsorship provided exclusively by Goodyear Canada. The object of the program is based on a proven concept that the psychological impact of a traumatic situation can be minimized in both the short and long term if the child's attention can be diverted from the situation. This is accomplished by providing a teddy bear to the child, thereby transferring the child's focus from the stress of the trauma to the comfort of the teddy bear.
The teddy bears are approximately 8 inches in height, very plush, and CSA approved for children. The Goodyear and Toronto EMS logos are printed on the teddy bear's t-shirt. The bear is packaged with a hug-a-bear program identification card, so that the recipient can be recorded and tracked. Also packaged with the bear is a one page information sheet that provides guidelines to helping children with crisis and grief. This information sheet is provided by Toronto EMS for general information or to assist agencies setup their own Teddy Bear Program. Please refer to A guide to helping children with crisis and grief.
Guidelines for the Hug-A-Bear Program are based on the paramedic's assessment of the child's physical and emotional status secondary to the traumatic incident. If the paramedic feels that a teddy bear will ease the child's distress and facilitate the assessment, then the bear is given to the child. The only restriction placed on the program is based on the manufacturer's recommendation that the product not be issued to children less than three years of age.
Once a teddy bear has been given to a patient, the paramedic then notifies the program coordinator. The information is logged into a computer tracking system and a follow up letter is sent to the patient's home. The tracking system is also used for accountability and timely restocking.
Overall, the program has been very successful and has received a significant number of comments from the parents of the patients praising it, and encouraging Toronto EMS to continue the good work.
The Toronto EMS Teddy Bear Program is made possible through the generous support of Goodyear Canada.
Toronto EMS paramedics helped a family that was involved in a motor vehicle collision in which their young daughter was killed. The family's father and son were seriously injured in the crash. While this situation was a difficult one for the paramedics to deal with, they were committed to doing more for this family than just treat their physical wounds.
The father and brother both wanted to attend the little girl's funeral, but their injuries prevented them from walking. A paramedic crew was assigned as a personal escort so that the family could be together for the funeral. When the boy, who was in a cast, was transported to the funeral, the Paramedic crew gave him one of our teddy bears to console him. He immediately hugged the bear and smiled. When the family was together at the funeral home, the paramedic crew wheeled the young boy on a stretcher down the aisle to the open casket. Once there, the boy took his sister's hand, said good-bye, and placed the bear in her hand. "I know you would have loved this", he said. Tears flowed from everyone near.
The paramedic crew remained with the family for the next few hours, transporting them from the service to their home and back to the hospital. The family said they could not put into words their heartfelt gratitude. This crew described a new warmth and pride in the job they do and how rewarding it is to provide these human services to people. The paramedic crew is also part of the department's peer support team, (the Employee Assistance Team) and were skilled in offering comforting words to the distraught family.
