Have you ever received a call from a scammer? Do you know what to if someone is suffering from a heart attack?

These questions were answered Thursday evening for residents in attendance at the Education & Wellness evening in council chambers. The event was hosted by the Moose Jaw Special Needs Advisory Committee and featured two of the city's first responders making a two-part presentation. 

First up was Cst. Kyle Cunningham of the Moose Jaw Police Service who detailed for residents how people can sometimes easily fall victim to email or phone scams, what the warning signs are and why in most cases people don't end up getting their money back. He noted that when you're sent a link to click on it and check to see if it's a secure site first, don't ever give out your information and unless you've signed up for a contest, don't accept the "prize". 

The second half came from Advanced Care Paramedic, Mike Slater, with the Moose Jaw & District Paramedics. Slater went over a number of topics for attendees such as who are the friendly faces that make up the team of paramedics in our city, what tools and equipment they have, and the things you may need to do before emergency services arrive at your destination.

Doreen Gane, a board member who was in attendance, found what Slater had to say about our provincial dispatching service the most interesting. 

"There was so much information in there that I wasn't aware of about what happens when a 911 call is activated, about the care that the paramedics are able to provide, the level of training they have," explained Gane. "I walk away tonight with a lot more information on what happens. I've had some ambulance rides in my lifetime, I've had some things happen, and I didn't realize all that goes on in the background."

Slater shared some statistics with the crowd based on national numbers what the difference is when a resident drives themselves to a hospital in a very serious situation compared to the quick response of paramedics. Along with the work taking place behind the scenes when a resident is on the phone with a 911 operator, that their partner is listening and contacting the necessary services to best respond so there are no lag times. 

"I was amazed at the size of the Regina region, and how many calls they're responding to and how well they're doing with the number of calls they are taking. Also in the Moose Jaw area, I think we have no idea when we think of calling an ambulance of the amount of work they're doing and the situations they're called to. I was very impressed."

The evening finished up with attendees given the chance to have their blood pressure checked as well as their blood sugar, with a little advice from the friendly first responders we have in Moose Jaw.