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RYERSON SECURITY TO THE RESCUE

by Michael Czobit 

Ryerson’s buildings aren’t the only things being renovated and improved; Campus Safety and Security is another.

Specifically, it’s the ‘safety’ part. Lawrence Robinson, manager of Safety and Security, has worked on improving his crew’s ability to respond to medical emergencies for the past two years. Earlier this year, those plans were executed.

All Safety and Security officers have first aid and CPR training. Now a group of 14 staff have training that goes beyond that.

“They have more than a first aid, less than a paramedic,” Robinson said.

Safety and Security deals with approximately 150 medical emergencies each year, Robinson estimated. He said that’s more than all the other personal safety emergencies — theft, assaults, and robberies — combined.

For that reason, Robinson said it was important to “up the ante” and upgrade medical emergency response skills.

Some staff received the advance training in February, which included a week of training. This training gives staff the skills they need to “build that critical bridge between (the time) an emergency is reported and paramedics get on scene,” Robinson said.

Officers with the advanced training are outfitted with medical emergency response packs, which contain basic first aid supplies, and airway management supplies. And one officer carries a defibrillator. Safety and Security has also equipped a bike to respond to medical emergencies.

While there are 14 officers with the advanced training, not all are in primary response roles. Robinson said the entire staff will not receive the advanced training, but he wants to have an officer with advanced training available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Currently, the service is only available Monday to Friday on days and afternoons.

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